**M-Pesa's New Number Masking Feature: A Game-Changer in the Fight Against Scams** In a move that could potentially save thousands of Kenyans from falling prey to scammers, Safaricom's mobile money platform, M-Pesa, has been given the green light by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to implement a new number masking feature. This innovative technology will conceal phone numbers in peer-to-peer transactions, significantly reducing the risk of SIM swap fraud and identity theft. The issue of phone numbers being easily accessible has been a major concern for M-Pesa users, with some scammers using this information to impersonate bank and telco customer service agents, coaxing out sensitive information from unsuspecting victims. In fact, in 2025, six cybercrime suspects were arrested in Mombasa for running a scamming ring that used ID spoofing applications to target victims. The impact of SIM-swap fraud has been particularly devastating in Kenya's mobile-first economy, where a phone number doubles as a bank username and mobile money account. By transferring a victim's number onto a new SIM card, scammers can reset mobile banking and M-Pesa PINs, intercept one-time passwords, and drain accounts within minutes. This has led to repeated warnings from the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Central Bank of Kenya, as well as tighter SIM registration rules and stronger customer verification requirements. Under the new system, phone numbers will be partially masked in peer-to-peer transfers, and recipients will need to request the full number from the sender, who can either consent or decline. This feature will also prevent merchants from seeing the payer's full name or mobile number when settling bills or buying goods via the platform's Till or Paybill numbers. This development is a significant step towards enhancing digital privacy and security for M-Pesa users. As Kenya continues to grow its mobile payment landscape, it is essential that platforms like M-Pesa prioritize the protection of users' sensitive information. With this new feature, Safaricom is setting a high standard for mobile money security, and other operators are likely to follow suit.