DAR ES SALAAM: Airtel Tanzania has intensified its efforts to combat a surge in online fraud by urging its customers to report scammers and remain vigilant amid rising cases of individuals impersonating the company’s service providers.
The call follows growing concerns raised by the government, with the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Hon. Jerry Silaa, urging Tanzanians to safeguard themselves from fraudulent activities and report suspicious phone communications.
Hon. Silaa underscored the importance of citizen involvement in curbing fraud, calling on telecommunications companies to increase public awareness through targeted education initiatives.
Speaking at Airtel Tanzania’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, the company’s Director of Communications and Regulatory Affairs, Ms Beatrice Singano, reminded the public that Airtel’s only official customer service number is the designated helpline. She warned that any other number claiming to represent Airtel is likely to be from scammers attempting to deceive customers.
“We strongly urge our customers not to entertain calls from anyone claiming to be an Airtel agent if the call is not coming through our official channel,” she said. “If you suspect a scam, please report the number through the designated reporting code. This enables us to take swift action against the fraudsters.”
Ms Singano emphasized that Airtel staff do not make customer service calls using personal or unofficial lines and urged users to take control of their mobile safety by regularly checking their SIM card registration.
Customers are advised to verify their registration details, view all numbers registered under their identification, and delete any unfamiliar numbers using the self-service code provided by Airtel.
“This process is key to preventing identity fraud,” Ms Singano explained, encouraging customers to review their registration records and report anomalies immediately.
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She further urged the public to exercise caution when receiving suspicious money requests via phone, including scams involving fake emergencies or spiritual healers.
“If you receive a message asking you to send money, always verify the request with the person directly,” she stressed. “Never act on instructions from an unknown number without confirmation.”
To enhance support, Airtel Tanzania is also calling on customers to seek help at any of its customer service centres and Airtel Money branches across the country. Airtel Money kiosks are similarly equipped to assist customers facing issues related to fraud.
Ms Singano reiterated Airtel’s commitment to customer protection, stressing that collaboration between mobile service providers, the government, and the public is crucial in eliminating mobile fraud.
“Together, we can stop these criminal acts. We call on our customers to be alert, proactive, and to report all suspicious activity,” she concluded.
