How do I tell if an M-Pesa, Airtel Money or Mixx by Yas SMS is fake?
A fake SMS usually comes from an ordinary phone number instead of the provider's name, has spelling mistakes or a strange format, and is followed by a call asking you to act fast. The only safe check is your real balance.
Scammers copy the wording of real confirmations closely. Sellers get a fake SMS and hand over the goods; others are told money was sent by mistake.
How to check
- Look at who sent it: a normal number is a warning sign.
- Compare the format with real messages you have received before.
- Check your balance in the app or the official menu.
- Never hand over goods or send money back until the balance has changed.
Frequently asked questions
- The SMS has a transaction ID. Is it real then?
- Not necessarily. A transaction ID can be invented. Only your balance tells the truth.
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