With mobile money, particularly M-Pesa, online shopping and digital loans becoming part of everyday life, Kenyans are increasingly exposed to fraudsters looking for ways to steal their money.
A report published by The Star on October 14, citing TransUnion’s second-quarter 2026 Consumer Pulse Study, found that 77 per cent of surveyed Kenyan consumers had been targeted by digital fraud in the three months to May. While most avoided losing money, the findings highlight the need for caution when handling financial transactions on a phone.
Here are practical ways to protect yourself.
1. Never share your M-Pesa PIN or one-time password
Fraudsters may call pretending to be Safaricom employees, bank officials or government officers. They may claim your M-Pesa account has a problem or that you qualify for a reward.
Do not disclose your PIN, password or verification code, even if the caller sounds convincing. End the call and contact the company through its official customer-care channels if you need to verify the claim.
2. Confirm money has reached your account before refunding it
One common trick involves receiving a fake M-Pesa transaction message, followed by a call from someone claiming to have sent you money by mistake.
Before sending anything back, check your actual mobile money balance and transaction history. Do not rely solely on an SMS screenshot or a message shown to you by another person.
If the money genuinely arrived, use the provider’s official reversal process rather than sending it to a different number at the caller’s request.
3. Think twice before clicking links
Messages promising KRA refunds, government cash grants, cheap loans or urgent SHA updates may contain links designed to steal personal information.
Avoid opening suspicious links. Instead, visit the relevant organisation’s official website by typing its address yourself or use its verified customer-service channels.
Government websites commonly use the .go.ke domain, but always check the complete address rather than assuming a link is genuine because it contains a familiar name.
Also Read: https://thevoice.co.ke/why-ruto-and-natembeya-are-locked-in-a-bitter-fight/
4. Do not pay to secure a job
Fake recruiters often advertise attractive jobs on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms, then demand registration, interview or processing fees.
Verify vacancies through the employer’s official website or recognised recruitment channels. Be particularly cautious when someone promises guaranteed employment in exchange for an upfront payment.
5. Verify online sellers before paying
When shopping through social media, check the seller’s history, independent reviews and contact details. Be wary of prices that appear unrealistically low or sellers who pressure you to pay immediately.
Where possible, use payment methods that offer appropriate buyer protection and avoid sending money to unfamiliar accounts without verification.
6. Act quickly if you suspect fraud
Contact your mobile money provider or bank immediately if you notice an unauthorised transaction. Keep transaction messages, screenshots, phone numbers and other evidence, and report suspected criminal activity to the police.
The bottom line: Pause before clicking, sending money or sharing information. A few seconds spent verifying a message or transaction could save you thousands of shillings.