How to Deactivate Safaricom Line: A Complete Guide

Deactivating your Safaricom line is an essential step if you’ve lost your SIM card or if you no longer wish to use the service. With a deactivated line, you can avoid fraud, unauthorized access, and unexpected charges. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want to unsubscribe from services, or prevent unwanted call forwarding, this guide will show you how to deactivate your Safaricom SIM card and take control of your account.

Why Deactivate Your Safaricom Line?

Deactivating your Safaricom line is important for several reasons:

• Security: If your SIM card is lost or stolen, someone could gain access to your M-Pesa account, social media accounts, or even your bank accounts linked to the SIM.
• Prevent Unauthorized Usage: If your phone falls into the wrong hands, deactivating your line ensures that no one can misuse it, especially when linked to sensitive information.
• Stop Unwanted Charges: If you notice unexpected airtime deductions, deactivating or unsubscribing from unwanted services is necessary to avoid additional charges.

How to Deactivate Safaricom Line

1. Contact Safaricom Customer Service

The easiest and quickest way to deactivate your Safaricom line is by contacting Safaricom customer service:

• Dial 100 (for prepaid customers) or 200 (for postpaid customers) from another Safaricom line. Calls are free of charge.
• You can also call Safaricom’s customer care numbers:
  • +254 722 002100 (Prepaid customers)
  • +254 722 002200 (Postpaid customers)

When you reach a customer service representative, provide the following details:

• Your ID number for verification.
• The SIM card number or mobile number that you wish to deactivate.

The customer service representative will assist you in deactivating your line.

2. Deactivate Safaricom Line via Social Media

Safaricom is also active on social media, and you can reach out to them for help:

• Facebook: @Safaricom PLC
• Twitter: @SafaricomCare or @SafaricomPLC

Send a direct message with your SIM card number, ID number, and the issue you’re facing (e.g., lost SIM, security concerns, or deactivation request).

3. Deactivate Safaricom Line via Website

You can also deactivate your Safaricom SIM card through Safaricom’s official website:

1. Visit the Safaricom website and log in to your account.
2. Enter the SIM card number you want to deactivate.
3. Follow the instructions for deactivation, or contact customer service for further assistance.

How to Stop SIM Swap on Safaricom

SIM swap fraud is when fraudsters replace your Safaricom SIM card to gain access to your accounts, including M-Pesa. Here’s how to prevent it:

1. SIM Swap Notification: If someone attempts a SIM swap on your line, you’ll receive a message saying, “Dear customer, we have received your SIM SWAP request.”
2. Terminate the Request: If you did not initiate the request, dial 100*100# from your Safaricom line immediately. This will block the SIM swap attempt.
3. Visit Safaricom Customer Service: If the SIM swap has already been processed, you will need to visit Safaricom customer care with your ID to replace your SIM card.

To further safeguard your Safaricom line:

• Set up a SIM lock.
• Use voice passwords for M-Pesa and banking apps.
• Enable biometric authentication for M-Pesa and any other financial apps.

How to Stop Auto-Renewal on Safaricom

If you notice that your airtime is being deducted frequently for auto-renewing services like data bundles or subscriptions, here’s how you can stop it:

Stop Data Bundle Auto-Renewal

1. Via USSD code *100#:
   • Dial 100# and select the “Buy” option.
   • Choose No-Expiry Bundles and select “Stop Auto-Renew”.
2. Via USSD code *544#:
   • Dial 544#, select No-Expiry Bundles, and click “Stop Auto-Renew”.

You can also send the word “stop” to 138 to unsubscribe from auto-renewals.

Stop Promotional Message Auto-Renewal

To stop receiving promotional messages from Safaricom, follow these steps:

1. Dial 456#.
2. Choose the “Stop” option.
3. Select “Stop Promotional Messages” and confirm by selecting “No” to stop receiving SMS updates.

How to Block Safaricom SIM Card Online

If your SIM card is lost or stolen, you can block it online:

1. Go to the Safaricom website and find the SIM block section.
2. Enter the lost SIM card number.
3. Provide an alternate phone number or email to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
4. Follow the instructions and wait for a customer service representative to assist you in blocking the SIM card.

How to Cancel Call Forwarding on Safaricom

If your calls are being forwarded without your knowledge, here’s how to stop it:

Via USSD Code

To cancel all call diverts:

• Dial ##002# or ##21#.

To cancel diverts for specific situations:

• ##61# (when phone is unanswered)
• ##67# (when phone is in use)
• ##62# (when phone is unreachable)

Via Phone Settings

1. Open the phone app on your device.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings and then Calls.
4. Choose Call Forwarding and turn it off.

How to Cancel Safaricom Subscriptions

To unsubscribe from Safaricom subscriptions, follow these steps:

1. Dial 100# (for prepaid) or 200# (for postpaid).
2. Select “My Subscriptions”.
3. View Active Subscriptions and unsubscribe from unwanted services.

Alternatively, send the premium text message you received to 200975 or the sender’s name to 2009075 to unsubscribe.

Conclusion

Deactivating your Safaricom line is a crucial step in protecting your M-Pesa account, personal information, and preventing unauthorized usage. Whether you’ve lost your SIM card, want to stop auto-renewals, or avoid a SIM swap, following these simple steps will ensure your security. Always stay vigilant and protect your information from potential fraud.