How to Stay Safe When Paying with M-Pesa Online

M-Pesa fraud costs Kenyans billions of shillings every year. But with a few simple habits, you can shop with complete confidence.

Rule 1 — Only pay to verified till/paybill numbers. Never pay to a personal number unless you personally know the seller. Zawadi by Amina's official paybill is 714000.

Rule 2 — Never share your M-Pesa PIN. No legitimate business will ever ask for your PIN. If someone asks, it is a scam — full stop.

Rule 3 — Screenshot your confirmation SMS. The M-Pesa confirmation message is your receipt. Save it until your order is delivered and you're satisfied.

Rule 4 — Verify via official channels. If you're unsure, call the business's listed number or WhatsApp them directly from their official website.

Rule 5 — Be suspicious of "errors". A common scam is texting you that your payment "went through twice" and asking for a refund. Always verify through the M-Pesa app before sending anything back.

Rules 6–7: Use the automated STK push where offered (it sends a prompt to your phone — safer than manually entering details). And always check your M-Pesa balance before and after payment.