How to Reverse Airtime Bought by Mistake from M-Pesa, Even If Some Has Been Used

M-Pesa has become an essential tool for millions of Kenyans. It allows users to send money, pay bills, and buy goods and services with ease.

However, mistakes happen, and one common issue is accidentally purchasing more airtime than intended from your M-Pesa account.

If you find yourself in this situation, Safaricom has a solution that can help you reverse the airtime purchase, even if you have already used some of it.

M-Pesa is a mobile money service offered by Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company. It is a convenient way to manage money using your mobile phone.

With M-Pesa, you can deposit, withdraw, transfer money, pay for goods and services, and even purchase airtime directly from your account.

This service has transformed the way people handle their finances, making it accessible to many, even those without a bank account.

A common mistake that many M-Pesa users experience is purchasing more airtime than they intended. This can happen for various reasons. 

Maybe you typed in the wrong amount by accident, or perhaps you weren’t paying close attention and selected the wrong option.

Regardless of how it happens, buying too much airtime can be frustrating, especially if you realize the mistake after you’ve already used some of the airtime.

Safaricom understands that these mistakes can happen, and they have made it possible for customers to reverse airtime purchases made from their M-Pesa accounts. 

The best part is that even if you’ve already used some of the airtime, you can still get your money back. However, there is a specific process you need to follow to ensure the reversal is successful.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve bought too much airtime by mistake, don’t worry. Follow these simple steps to reverse the transaction and get your money back into your M-Pesa account:

1.Top Up the Used Amount: The first thing you need to do is top up the airtime balance to match the original amount you mistakenly purchased.

For example, if you accidentally bought KSh 1,000 worth of airtime but have already used KSh 300, you need to add KSh 300 back to your airtime balance.

This step is crucial because Safaricom’s reversal system requires the original amount to be intact before the reversal can be processed.

2. Forward the Transaction Message to 456: After you have topped up the used airtime, locate the original M-Pesa transaction message that was sent to you when you bought the airtime.

This message contains important details such as the transaction ID, amount, and time of purchase. 

You need to forward this message to the number 456. Safaricom uses this number specifically for processing airtime reversals.

3. Wait for the Reversal Confirmation: Once you’ve forwarded the transaction message to 456, Safaricom’s system will automatically process your request.

The reversal process is usually immediate, but in some cases, it might take a few minutes. You will receive a confirmation message from Safaricom 

once the reversal is complete. At this point, you should check your M-Pesa balance to ensure that the money has been refunded.

One of the great things about Safaricom’s airtime reversal process is its speed. In most cases, the reversal is processed immediately after you send the transaction message to 456.

This means that you won’t have to wait long to get your money back. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check your M-Pesa balance after receiving the confirmation message to make sure everything is in order.

In rare cases, the reversal process might not go through as expected. If this happens, you can contact Safaricom’s customer care for assistance. 

They will be able to look into the issue and help you resolve it. 

Remember to have the original transaction details on hand when you contact customer care, as this information will be necessary to process your request.