Mobile money business is one of Kenya’s most lucrative ways of earning money. The business has employed many people, especially the youth who would have been jobless. A degree is not required to start a mobile money business. You do not need a lot of capital to operate the business. With exemplary customer service, you can make a reasonable commission in a month. Like all good companies, there is always a downside. Having to deal with money, mobile money business is a target for many scammers. Mobile money agents are losing money daily to thieves. The following information will teach you seven ways to avoid fraudsters while operating your mobile money business.
1. Always train your attendants well.
Any person operating the mobile money business should be trained thoroughly.
Therefore, it is important for you, as an employer, and your
employees to be trained by someone with experience in the business.
Many scammers are always walking around, checking on new attendants. That’s why it is crucial to have at least six months of training before an attendant can be left on their own in the business. These will give the mobile money operator enough experience to be alert in the presence of a thief.
2. Always ask for identification documents.
The client should always provide you with an original
identity card or a passport.
Check whether the name on the document and the one on the
confirmation message match. These will allow you to confirm the person
transacting is using their SIM card and not someone else's card.
There have been cases of scammers not providing the identity
cards and later calling the service provider customer care for a reversal of money withdrawn.
3. Always take the money before initiating a deposit.
You should take and count the money before initiating a
deposit transaction.
This allows you to confirm the amount. It also allows you to
pick out any fake money.
Some fraudsters will tell you to deposit money, and when the
transaction is complete, leave without submitting the money. You might not
realize they did not give you the money, especially if you were busy until they
were long gone. To avoid this, always make sure to receive the money upfront.
4. Serve one customer at a time.
Serving several customers at the same time makes you
vulnerable to fraudsters.
Fraudsters will always target you in numbers or when you are
very busy.
There will be several people posing as clients with
different demands, pretending not to be together. While making their demands
for the service they need, you will lose focus. These will allow them to scam
you.
5. Keep your phone and cash box away from the public.
Money and your phone are your tools in the mobile money business.
There has been an influx of fraudsters targeting mobile money business phones. They are often posing as clients. They will initiate a deposit transaction that will fail the first time, giving you the wrong number. You, therefore, repeat the transaction as they watch out for your private information and pin.
The fraudsters will later look for an opportunity to get
hold of your phone and steal it.
After stealing the phone, they will transfer all the money
from your mobile money account.
6. Have a money detector machine.
Fake money is the worst nightmare a mobile money agent can
encounter.
The money detector machine is a crucial tool to have in a mobile money shop. These help you check if the money brought to you by clients is original. Always make sure to check any money given before doing any transaction.
7. Install a security camera on your premises.
Most fraudsters will be scared away when they see a security
camera.
The camera can also serve as a source of evidence in case
things go wrong. It can also be a reference source in case of a misunderstanding
between the attendant and the client.
Conclusion.
As you have seen, the mobile money business has a lot of fraudsters
ready to take advantage of you. That’s why taking precautions in this business
is a priority. If you use the above 7 tips to prevent fraudsters, you will be
able to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the industry.