The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public alert, warning citizens of a significant increase in phishing scams. The authority emphasized that it will never request personal information, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs) through phone calls, text messages, or emails.
To protect themselves from falling victim to these scams, PTA advises citizens to:
- Ignore unsolicited communication: Disregard unknown calls, text messages, and emails, especially those requesting personal information.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links: Refrain from clicking on links embedded in emails or text messages from unknown sources.
- Never share personal information: Be cautious about sharing personal or financial details with strangers, even if they claim to be from reputable organizations.
If you encounter suspicious activity, PTA encourages users to report it immediately. You can contact your service provider, file a complaint through PTA’s CMS app, website, or call the helpline 0800-55055.
To report financial fraud, contact the State Bank of Pakistan at cpd.helpdesk@sbp.org.pk. For WhatsApp scams, report directly to WhatsApp’s helpline.
PTA’s warning underscores the growing threat of cybercrime in Pakistan. By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, citizens can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to phishing attacks.
