Scammers target people from all walks of life in Pakistan, regardless of age, background, or income level. They use deceptive tactics to steal money or personal information, often with the intention of committing identity theft.
These illegal activities typically involve convincing stories designed to manipulate individuals into sharing their personal details or transferring money. If you fall victim to such scams, you risk losing your hard-earned money and sensitive personal information that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
How to Protect Yourself?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shared several tips to help citizens protect themselves from digital scams. Here are some of the key precautions you should follow:
- Do not open suspicious texts or click on links or attachments in SMS. If you receive a suspicious message, ignore it and report it immediately.
- Be cautious of requests for your personal details or money. Never send money, provide ATM or PIN details, share your online account information, or send copies of personal documents to anyone you do not know or trust.
- Warn your friends and family about scams. Inform those around you about the latest scams so they can protect themselves too.
- If you’re unsure whether you’re being scammed, stop sending money. Scammers often ask for more money, and they will continue to do so unless you put a stop to it.
- If you’ve already shared your banking details or sent money to a scammer, contact your bank and the police immediately. They may be able to prevent further transactions or close your account to protect you.
Lodge a Complaint Against Scams
If you receive a scam call, you are encouraged to report it to the relevant authorities. Here’s what you need to do:
- Report the scam number to your service provider (Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone, or PTCL) to have the number blocked.
- If there is no response from the service provider, you can also report the number directly to PTA by dialing 0800-55055 or visiting PTA Complaint Portal.
- If you have experienced financial or banking fraud, contact the State Bank of Pakistan at cpd.helpdesk@sbp.org.pk for further assistance.
By following these precautions and staying vigilant, you can protect yourself from falling victim to digital scams in Pakistan.
