![\"A](\"https:\/\/mosravo.com\/publications\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/14328029831_006a30ec08_b.jpg\")
The golden rule: trust your balance, not their screen<\/h2>\n
An SMS, an email, a screenshot or the customer\u2019s phone is never proof of payment. The only reliable proof is your own account balance or transaction history, checked by you, on your own device, through your bank\u2019s official app, internet banking or USSD service.<\/p>\n
A five-step check before releasing goods<\/h2>\n\n- Open your banking app yourself.<\/strong> Don\u2019t tap links or numbers in the message you received.<\/li>\n
- Confirm the new balance<\/strong>, not just a line in the transaction list, and make sure the amount matches.<\/li>\n
- Check the sender\u2019s name<\/strong> in your transaction details against the name the customer gave.<\/li>\n
- If the transfer shows as pending, wait.<\/strong> Politely tell the customer goods are released once funds reflect. Genuine customers understand.<\/li>\n
- For large amounts<\/strong>, call your bank using the number on its official website or the back of your card to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Make it a business process, not a personal judgement<\/h2>\n
Fraudsters target the busiest moment and the newest staff member. Protect your team by making verification a written rule:<\/p>\n
\n- Only designated staff can confirm transfers, using the business\u2019s own banking app or a dedicated notification phone.<\/li>\n
- Display a simple notice: \u201cGoods are released when payment reflects in our account.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Turn on push notifications in your official banking app, which are harder to fake than SMS.<\/li>\n
- Keep a log of transfers confirmed, with time and staff initials, so disputes are easy to resolve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What to do if you\u2019ve been caught<\/h2>\n
Act quickly. Save the screenshots, phone numbers and any CCTV footage, report the incident to your bank immediately, and file a report with the police. Warn other traders in your area; fake alert fraudsters often hit several shops in the same market on the same day.<\/p>\n
The bottom line<\/h2>\n
A few seconds spent checking your own balance is the cheapest fraud protection a business can have. Make \u201cconfirm before you release\u201d a habit for everyone who handles payments, and fake alerts lose their power.<\/p>\n
Make it a business process, not a personal judgement<\/h2>\n
Fraudsters target the busiest moment and the newest staff member. Protect your team by making verification a written rule:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Only designated staff can confirm transfers, using the business\u2019s own banking app or a dedicated notification phone.<\/li>\n
- Display a simple notice: \u201cGoods are released when payment reflects in our account.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Turn on push notifications in your official banking app, which are harder to fake than SMS.<\/li>\n
- Keep a log of transfers confirmed, with time and staff initials, so disputes are easy to resolve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What to do if you\u2019ve been caught<\/h2>\n
Act quickly. Save the screenshots, phone numbers and any CCTV footage, report the incident to your bank immediately, and file a report with the police. Warn other traders in your area; fake alert fraudsters often hit several shops in the same market on the same day.<\/p>\n
The bottom line<\/h2>\n
A few seconds spent checking your own balance is the cheapest fraud protection a business can have. Make \u201cconfirm before you release\u201d a habit for everyone who handles payments, and fake alerts lose their power.<\/p>\n