Safaricom Cyber Security Sumit: Telco Explains How to Claim M-Pesa Money If Your SIM Is Deactivated
- Safaricom PLC held Cyber Security Sumit to engage stakeholders in the critical role of partnerships, skills, and solutions in protecting networks
- The leading telecommunications firm shared crucial steps for protecting digital spaces, including the importance of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and vigilance against phishing attacks
- Safaricom M-Pesa customer raised concerns over his locked SIM card with money in the mobile banking wallet
- The telco explained to TUKO.co.ke the steps the customer ought to follow and recover the money from the locked or deactivated SIM card
TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia has over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Is your SIM card deactivated yet you had some money in your M-Pesa?
Source: Twitter
Safaricom M-Pesa customer raised concerns after his SIM card was locked, denying him access to the mobile banking wallet balance.
The customer shared his frustrations in the comment section of Safaricom's Facebook post about the Cyber Security Summit, which was held between Wednesday, October 30, and Thursday, October 31.
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How to recover M-Pesa money from deactivated SIM
TUKO.co.ke reached out to the leading telecommunications firm over the concern from the customer.
Safaricom explained the steps the customer ought to follow and recover the money from the locked or deactivated SIM card.
The telco noted that if the SIM is just locked, the customer should unlock it using PUK procedures.
"The question would be, what was the reason for being locked? If an activity led to this, then you have to resolve the issue first," said Safaricom.
In case the SIM card is deactivated and no longer in use, the customer should visit the nearest Safaricom shop with the original ID used for registration.
"If the line was deactivated and you are no longer using it or registered to it, you can visit any Safaricom shop with your ID to claim the funds. Should you need more information, you can share your number, name, and ID with customer care to have a look and clearly advise on the status of the account," the telco directed.
What Safaricom Cyber Security Summit entails
Safaricom PLC held Cyber Security Sumit to engage stakeholders in the critical role of partnerships, skills, and solutions in protecting networks
The company shared crucial steps for protecting digital spaces, including the importance of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and vigilance against phishing attacks.
The summit showcased effective solutions for mitigating cyber risks, including the rampant SIM swap that has seen Kenyans lose their hard-earned money.
Cybersecurity expert Allan Lwala explained to TUKO.co.ke that SIM swap fraud entails changing the victims' SIM card information without permission.
"This (SIM swap fraud) involves replacing the victims' SIM card details without their consent. The scammers then withdraw all the money from mobile money and even request mobile loans using the victims' details.
"Your data can be collected by a rogue agent somewhere from a security manifest of a building you visited. Thus avoid sharing your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) with every Tom and Harry," Lwala advised.
What are Safaricom's measures to fight SIM swap?
Meanwhile, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa revealed that SIM-swap fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics with the evolution in technology.
He cautioned customers against sharing their personal details with strangers as swindlers use social engineering tactics to get data, such as PINs.
The Safaricom boss disclosed that Safaricom will unveil a new programme to curb fraud in November.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Wycliffe Musalia (Business Editor) Wycliffe Musalia is a Business Editor at TUKO.co.ke, with over six years of experience in digital media. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University. Before joining TUKO.co.ke, Musalia worked as an editorial intern at Standard Media Group. Musalia has completed the full Google News Initiative (GNI) News Lab Advance digital reporting workshop. He has also undergone Procurement Fraud and Public Finance Management Training conducted by the Kenya Editors’ Guild. You can get in touch with Musalia via mail: wycliffe.musalia@tuko.co.ke.
Allan Lwala (Cyber and Information Security Consultant) Allan Lwala is a cyber and information security consultant with over 10 years of experience. He is from Kenya and is currently based in Uganda. His background is in psychology, communication, and German studies from the University of Nairobi.
