Fraudulent Calls Claiming to Be PTA Officials Can Steal Your Money and Personal Information

A new wave of fraudulent phone scams has emerged, with scammers impersonating officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in an attempt to steal sensitive personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. The scam begins with an automated call, where a female voice greets the recipient with, “Assalam-o-Alaikum, this is a call from PTA.”

The scammers provide false information about the recipient receiving a “proven” complaint against their registered phone number. The scammers state after a threat to block all SIM cards linked to the victim for two hours, they will make their demands.

The callers instruct the recipient to press 9 on their phone keypad, a tactic meant to mimic an automated banking call, and once pressed, they demand sensitive information, including the victim’s identity card number and bank account details.

If the victim does not comply with the criminals, they state their phone services will be instantly activated. The authorities verified that these fraudulent calls do not belong to PTA since they target vulnerable consumers to extract their personal data and money.

Authorities Issue Strong Warning

In response to the alarming rise of these scams, law enforcement and telecommunications officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and take immediate action if they encounter such calls. Experts recommend the following precautions:

• Disconnect the call right away after receiving suspicious calls regarding your bank account.
• Telephone scammers should avoid receiving any personal information, including IDs, banking credentials, and passwords.
• Report each suspicious call promptly to the Federal Investigation Agency and send it to the PTA.
• Warn friends and family members, especially those who may be less tech-savvy, about the ongoing scam.

Rising Trend of Impersonation Scams

This fraudulent scheme is just one example of an increasing trend of scams targeting the public. Common tactics used by scammers include:

1. Impersonation of Banks and Government Programs: Scammers may pose as representatives from institutions like banks, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), or the Ehsaas Programme, claiming urgent issues such as blocked accounts that need resolution.
2. Threats and Extortion: Fraudsters may threaten victims with harm or blackmail, often impersonating military personnel or law enforcement officers to intimidate the target into compliance.
3. False Cash Transfer Requests: Scammers may attempt to convince victims to transfer money or send security codes through platforms like EasyPaisa, claiming errors or emergency situations.
4. Prize and Lottery Scams: Victims may receive fraudulent messages claiming they’ve won a prize or lottery and are required to pay a fee or provide information to claim their winnings.

These calls and messages are completely fraudulent and have no legitimate ties to the PTA or any other governmental agency. The public is urged to stay cautious and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.