Safaricom to introduce finger print biometrics to curb sim card fraud

Safaricom is in the process of developing a framework that will deal with the sim card swap fraud. The Telco is planning to layout infrastructure consisting of finger print biometrics while being keen on sim card-swap alerts, where the customer agents will call the user for confirmation on the swap.

“If you come to do a sim-swap and the line is active we will call the line to say that there’s a request to do the sim-swap and the customer has to confirm.” says Bob Collymore CEO Safaricom

Last month the Director of Criminal investigations (DCI) arrested two suspects and seized 2160 unused Safaricom sim card and 3 M-pesa Safaricom booklets.

“We are happy that we are tackling this issue in a multi-faceted way right from the company, the Government, law enforcement and the media for flagging the issue making the public aware.” Steve Chege Director Corporate Affairs Safaricom

Last year the Telco introduced the voice biometric system dubbed ‘Jitambulishe’ which allows customers to access services such resetting of their M-pesa PIN and PUK requests through a faster and timeless vetting process which in the past involved speaking to a customer agent or taking a number of steps to get assisted.

“Once we are ready we will come up with a process where customers will give additional information, right from when the customer buys a sim-card. This narrows down the opportunity for someone swap your sim without your involvement.” added Steve

He however did not disclose the project timelines as well as technology companies involved in development and roll out of the service.