ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned citizens about courier fraud calls seeking one-time passwords (OTPs). It urged users to keep security codes confidential.
Fraudsters pose as courier-company representatives and claim they need a code to complete a parcel delivery, PTA said. They may also seek other sensitive information.
Citizens should never disclose an OTP to a caller, even if they claim to represent a courier company or another organisation. PTA urged recipients to verify callers’ identities before providing personal information.
Its advice includes these precautions:
- Keep passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs) and banking details confidential when unknown callers request them.
- Confirm shipment details through the courier company’s official channels.
- Treat pressure to release or deliver a parcel urgently as a reason to be cautious.
An OTP helps protect personal and financial information. PTA cautioned that sharing one can let an unauthorised person access an account or complete a transaction. The precise risk depends on the service involved.
The authority warned that criminals can use convincing stories to gain a recipient’s trust. Users should independently check unexpected delivery or account-verification requests before acting on them.
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PTA’s cybercrime guidance identifies impersonation and requests for confidential information as methods of electronic financial fraud.
Citizens should report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities and service providers, the regulator advised. Telecom consumers can register and track complaints through its Complaint Management System
