Safaricom has introduced M-PESA Jumbe, a payment notification feature designed to help customers confirm transactions without exposing their full names, phone numbers or M-PESA balances.The service targets a common practice in shops, restaurants and petrol stations where customers are asked to display payment messages before completing transactions, potentially exposing personal information to attendants and other people nearby.
M-PESA Jumbe allows Lipa na M-PESA and Pochi la Biashara merchants to nominate up to 50 additional users to receive payment notifications, enabling authorized employees to verify transactions without relying on the business owner’s phone.
The feature uses a JumbeID, an alias that replaces a customer’s full name and phone number in the notification. It combines the first letters of the customer’s first and last names with the final two digits of their phone number.The notification retains transaction details, including the reference number, amount, business name, Till number, date and time.
Customers also receive a separate proof-of-payment SMS they can show when confirmation is required without revealing their full phone number, name or M-PESA balance.
