Kenya is grappling with a surge in fraud cases, both digital and physical, leaving citizens vulnerable to theft and deception.

The Cyber Shujaa Industry Report 2025 revealed that between January and March this year, the country experienced 2.5 billion cyberattacks.

Most of the breaches took advantage of weak passwords, obsolete software, and unprotected networks.

Fraud is also spreading through mobile phones. A World Bank survey found that nearly half of Kenyan phone users had recently been targeted with calls or messages designed to trick them into parting with money.

These scams were disguised as urgent money requests, prize notifications, or government communications.

Although 51 per cent of those targeted refused to send funds, the persistence and sophistication of such scams continue to alarm experts.

Criminals are not confining themselves to the digital space. Impostors posing as banking agents are tricking people into depositing money at unregistered kiosks.

Jane, a Nairobi trader, narrowly avoided becoming a victim when she noticed that a supposed banking outlet displayed no official colours, carried no signage, and failed to show the required certificate.

When she asked for proof of accreditation, the attendant brushed her off with vague excuses, and the outlet lacked the information poster that should have displayed an agent number and customer service contact.

Her decision to phone the bank’s hotline revealed that the outlet was unregistered, saving her from a serious financial loss.

Banks, including Equity, have urged customers to learn how to spot genuine agents. According to Equity, customers should look out for:

 ▪ Official Branding: Authentic agents carry consistent logos, colours, and signage of the bank.

 ▪ Certificate of Accreditation: Every authorised outlet must have a valid certificate issued by the bank.

 ▪ Agent Information Poster: A poster should be visible, displaying the agent’s number, customer service contact, and the supervising branch.

 ▪ Online Verification: Customers can confirm an agent’s details through the bank’s website before making transactions.

Online Verification: Customers can confirm an agent’s details through the bank’s website before making transactions.

To strengthen security, the bank has also highlighted steps that customers should follow when transacting or handling personal details:

 ▪ Never share PINs, passwords, or personal details with any staff at an outlet.

 ▪ Always confirm transaction details on the POS machine or phone screen before approving.

 ▪ Keep CVV, PINs, passwords, and OTPs private; no bank will ever request them.

 ▪ Use unique passwords for both banking and social media accounts.

 ▪ Avoid public Wi-Fi when accessing online banking; use mobile data instead.

 ▪ Double-check payment instructions before transferring funds.

 ▪ Download banking apps only from official app stores and enable two-factor authentication.

 ▪ Memorise your PIN and keep it confidential, shielding the keypad when in public.

 ▪ Report lost IDs or passports immediately to both the bank and relevant authorities.

 ▪ Decline assistance from strangers at ATMs and contact the bank directly if problems arise.

 ▪ Monitor your account activity regularly and report anything unusual at once.

 ▪ Report suspicious numbers or SMS lines to 333 at no charge.

 ▪ Only trust calls from 0763 000 000, which is the official line for Equity Bank.

The bank advised customers, “Be vigilant: fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics, but you can stay one step ahead by verifying agents and following these security measures.”

With scams evolving rapidly, both in technology and in face-to-face encounters, Kenyans are being urged to remain cautious, verify the authenticity of every transaction, and protect personal information.

Awareness and swift action, experts stress, remain the most effective shields against fraud.