How to Verify Recipient Details Before Sending Money to Kenya

Sending money to wrong details is painful—reversing transfers is difficult or impossible. Here's how to verify everything before you send.

Why Verification Matters

Common Problems

• Wrong M-Pesa number = Money goes to stranger
• Wrong bank account = Difficult to recover
• Wrong name = Transfer may be rejected or delayed
• Scam target = Money lost completely

Cost of Mistakes

• Reversal fees: $20-50 if possible
• Lost money: Potentially entire transfer
• Time wasted: Days to weeks
• Stress and family conflict

Verifying M-Pesa Numbers

Step 1: Get the Number Directly

• Ask recipient to send their number via WhatsApp or SMS
• Have them type it, don't copy from somewhere else
• Verify you're talking to the actual person

Step 2: Confirm Number Format

Valid Safaricom M-Pesa numbers:

Valid prefixes: 0722, 0723, 0724, 0725, 0726, 0727, 0728, 0729, 0110, 0111, 0112

Step 3: Verify via Test Transfer

For new recipients:

1. Send small amount ($5-10)
2. Ask them to confirm receipt
3. Verify amount received matches
4. Then send full amount

Step 4: Name Verification

Before sending, some apps show:

• "Sending to: JOHN KAMAU"
• Confirm this matches who you're sending to
• If name is wrong, STOP—wrong number

Verifying Bank Account Details

What You Need

1. Account holder name (exactly as on account)
2. Bank name
3. Account number
4. Branch (sometimes)

Step 1: Request Official Details

Ask recipient to:

• Check their bank statement for exact name
• Provide account number from bank card or statement
• Confirm bank and branch name

Step 2: Verify Name Format

Kenyan bank account names typically:

• Full legal name: JOHN KAMAU MWANGI
• May include middle names
• Must match exactly what bank has

Step 3: Account Number Validation

Step 4: Test Transfer

For amounts over $500:

1. Send small amount first ($20-50)
2. Wait for confirmation from recipient
3. Verify they received correct amount
4. Then send remainder

Protecting Against Scams

Common Scam Scenarios

Scenario 1: Impersonation

• Someone pretends to be family member
• Claims emergency, needs money now
• Uses similar name/number

Scenario 2: Fake Emergency

• Unknown caller claims family emergency
• Requests immediate transfer
• Creates urgency to prevent verification

Scenario 3: Romance/Investment Scams

• Online relationship requests money
• "Investment opportunity" in Kenya
• Promises of returns

Verification Steps

#### For Family Transfers

1. Call back on known number

- Don't use number from message

- Call number you have saved

1. Ask verification questions

- Something only they would know

- Recent conversation topic

- Family details

1. Confirm with other family

- Check with another relative

- Verify the situation

#### For Unknown Recipients

1. Verify identity thoroughly

- Video call if possible

- Multiple forms of confirmation

1. Research the request

- Is this a known scam pattern?

- Does the story make sense?

1. Take your time

- Legitimate needs can wait for verification

- Pressure = red flag

Red Flags

• Extreme urgency ("must send NOW")
• Requests to keep secret from others
• Different contact method than usual
• Unusual request amount
• Person seems different than usual
• Requests for multiple transfers
• "Don't tell anyone" instructions

Verification Checklist

Before every transfer:

For M-Pesa

• [ ] Number is 10 digits starting with 07 or 01
• [ ] You've confirmed directly with recipient
• [ ] Name shown matches expected recipient
• [ ] You've done test transfer for new recipients

For Bank Transfer

• [ ] Full account name obtained from recipient
• [ ] Bank name confirmed
• [ ] Account number double-checked
• [ ] Test transfer for new recipients

For Large Amounts

• [ ] Verified recipient identity independently
• [ ] Confirmed purpose of transfer
• [ ] No pressure or unusual urgency
• [ ] Test transfer successful

What If You Made a Mistake

Wrong M-Pesa Number

1. Contact transfer provider immediately

- They may be able to stop transfer

- Have transaction details ready

1. If delivered to wrong person

- Provider can try to recover

- Success depends on stranger's cooperation

- Not guaranteed

1. Report to M-Pesa

- Through Safaricom if recipient is unreachable

- Police report may be needed

Wrong Bank Account

1. Contact provider immediately

- Bank-to-bank reversals are possible

- Takes time and paperwork

1. Recipient bank may help

- If account number is invalid, funds return

- If valid but wrong person, more complex

Prevention Is Best

The difficulty of reversal is why verification before sending is critical.

Tips for Regular Senders

Save Verified Recipients

Most apps let you save recipients:

1. Verify details once thoroughly
2. Save recipient in app
3. Use saved details for future transfers
4. Periodically confirm details still correct

Create Family Protocol

Agree with family:

• Always verify unexpected requests
• Use code word for emergencies
• Take time for verification

Keep Records

Maintain list of:

• Verified phone numbers
• Verified bank accounts
• Last verification date

Conclusion

Verifying recipient details:

1. Get details directly from recipient
2. Confirm format is valid
3. Test with small amount for new recipients
4. Watch for red flags of scams
5. Save verified recipients for future

Five minutes of verification can save you hundreds of dollars and significant stress.

Start your verified transfer on our comparison page.