The PTA scam calls warning has urged citizens in Pakistan to stay alert against fraudulent calls and SMS messages designed to steal personal and financial information.
In its public advisory, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said scammers often pose as PTA officials, bank representatives or courier service staff to gain trust. The authority warned people not to share sensitive details such as CNIC numbers, one-time passwords or account passwords.
PTA said users should avoid clicking on suspicious or unknown links, as these may lead to data theft or financial fraud.
The authority also stressed that scammers rely on impersonation to pressure people into revealing private information. For that reason, it asked citizens to remain cautious whenever they receive unexpected calls or text messages.
PTA Tells Users How to Report Suspicious Messages
PTA advised the public to report any fraudulent activity or suspicious messages through its official complaint portal or the PTA CMS App.
That guidance forms part of a wider effort to help users respond quickly when they encounter scam attempts. It also provides citizens with an official channel to file complaints about digital fraud.
In a related update, PTA recently issued guidance to stop the issuance of illegal SIM cards. The authority told citizens not to accept free SIMs from roadside vendors or marketplaces.
Instead, PTA said people should buy new SIMs only from authorised customer service centres or official mobile operator franchises. This step can reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorised registrations.
PTA also emphasised that no SIM should be registered against a person’s CNIC without consent. It warned users not to undergo biometric verification in exchange for free SIM offers, because scammers may use that process to issue extra SIMs in someone else’s name.
The authority further encouraged citizens to review any SIMs registered under their identity and block unused or unauthorized numbers to prevent misuse.
