Mpesa is a mobile payment solution which has enabled quick transactions (money transfer) via mobile phones. It has been a huge step to kenyans with safaricom lines but at the same time has attracted many fraudsters.
One thing though, is fraudsters are fraudsters, however or in whichever chance they get, they will steal from you. So Mpesa is not the problem. Second, anyone can be conned. You don’t have to feel stupid because someone stole from you. Also you don’t have to get cozy because you are a smart techie. Fraudsters play with your psychology, at that time your tech knowledge may not help you.
So the first thing is to know how to verify valid transactions and their confirmations. Second, is to identify tricks used by most fraudsters. Third is to know to deal with a con activity or situation
1. Verifying a transaction (i.e money transfer)
Anytime you send or receive money via Mpesa, card, paypal or bank, you are supposed to receive a confirmation message. Sometimes there can be a delay but as long as you are transacting via valid means you should get a confirmation message.
The issue is, Not all confirmation messages are Valid! To tell if yours came from a known source, check it’s header/ label of message on top of your screen. If its just a phone number, ignore it. If it indicates its source i.e Mpesa, paypal, Interswitch e.t.c know its a valid transaction.
Check balance
This is easiest and best way to tell whether you have received or sent any money, Check your balance. If you are not sure of the previous or current amount, take your time and check the last time you topped up or sent money to anyone. Its all in your old messages or emails.
2. Tricks used by fraudsters
Most fraudsters are very informed. They can estimate your transaction behaviours. That is how, when and how many times you send money. That includes your first reaction when you receive money. Some could even have their sources or could just be people close to you. So here are tricks used by most fraudsters
Duplication
They know how conformational messages look like and will send an exact copy of that. Something like this;
They also understand how transactions are completed. Some could even be former employees of a certain financial institution. When stealing, they will try to do it according to their code as much as possible.
Confusion
Fraudsters will not give you a chance to think or notice their loop holes. So they will distract you with many phones calls and unnecessary explanations.
Impersonation
They will act like they want to help you. That is imitate the support team of a certain company. They can go to an extent of promising rewards like; ” Am calling from safaricom customer care. Someone send you money by mistake but has promised you to keep half of it if you just send the rest amount” Of Course, professional help lines don’t work this way but they are just playing with your interests.
Threats
Threats will prompt you to take quick action.They will put you in that position by saying things like, Your account is blocked, send your pin to activate it and other things so you can give them more of your personal information.
3. How to handle a Con activity/ situation
When you find yourself in such a situation many things can happen. They can mess with your head and get you conned.
Don’t pick unknown calls
If there is something to expect from conmen, is hundreds of phone calls. They are meant to confuse you. Its best if you ignore them.
Don’t share any personal information
Legit companies wont ask for your pin or password. The only pin that is publicly shared is the KRA pin. All the rest are yours to keep. Also, don’t trust any individual/company because they know your name, ID number, phone or email. There are many ways of accessing such information this days.
Don’t respond to unexpected messages
Messages like you have won Ksh1,000, 000 or you have received 10,000 from John doe should only come if you expect them. The best thing is to ignore them until you are sure of their source.
Change pin or Lock any of financial account
It could be your card, bank or Mpesa account. Change its password/pin as quick as possible.
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