ISLAMABAD – Scammers used to target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Pakistan to fleece them or steal their identity details.
Elements involved in such illegal activities make believable stories that may convince an ordinary citizen to give them more money or personal details.
If you fall prey to them, you can lose your hard earned money and robbed of personal details that can be used to access
How to Protect yourself?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shared various tips that can protect the citizens from scams. Following are the key tips:
Do not open suspicious texts, or click on links or attachments in SMS – ignore and report.
Beware of any requests for your details or money. Never send money or give ATM or PIN details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust.
You should warn your friends and family about scams.
If you are not sure that you’re being scammed, stop sending money. Scammers will keep asking for more money until you stop.
If you have sent money or shared your banking details with a scammer, contact your bank & police immediately. They may be able to stop a transaction, or close your account if the scammer has your account details.
Lodge Complaint against Scams
A citizen is required to lodge a complaint with authorities concerned if they receive a scam call. First, they need to report the scam number to their service provider (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone & PTCL) for blocking of suspected number.
If no response is received from service provider, you can also report the number to PTA for blocking by dialing 0800-55055 or visit https://complaint.pta.gov.pk/RegisterComplaint
If a financial/banking fraud has occurred, contact State Bank of Pakistan: cpd.helpdesk@sbp.org.pk.
