Safaricom to Mask M-PESA Phone Numbers to Combat Fraud

Safaricom will mask phone numbers in M-PESA transaction alerts starting March 31, 2026. Instead of full numbers like 0722123000, notifications will show 0722*000**. Names will remain visible for identification. The change targets social engineering fraud where scammers collect numbers from alerts and impersonate agents or customer care. 46% of Kenyan consumers have faced fraudulent calls/texts according to 2025 TransUnion data. Recipients can verify senders via Safaricom's 334 shortcode. The update aligns with data minimization principles by limiting personal information exposure.

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/03/16/how-safaricoms-new-m-pesa-masked-phone-number-feature-will-work/