Safaricom has explained how M-PESA users can verify the identities of people who send them money after the company introduced measures to hide full phone numbers in transaction messages.
On July 10, 2026, Safaricom customer Kennedy Kipkorir posted on X, asking the company how he could retrieve the full phone number of someone who had sent him money via M-PESA.
“How can I find the full number of someone who has sent me money?” he asked.
Responding to the question, Safaricom said recipients should forward the M-PESA confirmation message to 334 within 24 hours of receiving it.
Safaricom Guides M-PESA Users on Verifying Sender Details
According to the company, the action triggers a prompt to the sender, asking whether they are willing to share their full name and mobile number with the recipient.
If the sender approves the request, the recipient receives an SMS containing the sender’s full details.
However, if the sender declines the request or fails to respond within two hours, the recipient will be notified of the outcome.
“Jambo, you can verify the sender’s identity by forwarding the M-PESA confirmation message to 334 within 24 hours. The sender will receive a prompt to share their full name and mobile number. If they accept, you will receive an SMS with the full name and mobile number,” Safaricom responded.
“If they decline, or if there is no response within 2 hours, you will be notified of the sender’s choice.”
Also Read: Safaricom Explains Why Data Bundles Deplete Before Midnight Despite Validity
Why Number Details Are Masked
Safaricom introduced changes to M-PESA transactions on March 11, limiting the amount of sender information displayed to recipients to strengthen customer privacy.
The telco’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, said the adjustment was informed by feedback from users who had raised concerns over the exposure of personal details when sending money through the platform.
Under the updated system, recipients no longer see the sender’s full phone number when sending M-PESA money transfers.
Also Read: Safaricom Clarifies Whether Customers Can Request a Reduction in Their Fuliza Limit
Instead, they receive limited sender details, with additional information only shared after the sender grants approval.
Ndegwa said the move forms part of Safaricom’s efforts to enhance data protection while ensuring that M-PESA transactions continue to run smoothly.
Ndegwa said Safaricom had responded to customer privacy concerns by introducing an update that reduces the amount of personal information shared during M-PESA Send Money transactions.
He explained that recipients would only see limited sender details, while senders would receive a prompt requesting their approval before their full name and mobile number are disclosed.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
