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PTA Alert on the Increase in Fraud and Hacking on WhatsApp

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an alert to mobile users regarding the increasing number of hacking and cyber fraud incidents through WhatsApp. Scammers are using social engineering tactics to trick people into gaining access to sensitive personal information, which can result in financial losses and misuse of victims’ accounts.

The PTA urges users to remain vigilant and implement security measures to protect against these threats. Criminals often take advantage of victims’ trust, making scams seem urgent and legitimate in order to manipulate them.

Common Social Engineering Tactics

The authority has highlighted two particularly prevalent fraud tactics:

  1. Impersonation of Courier Services: Scammers pose as representatives of courier or parcel services. They request one-time passwords (OTP) under the pretext of confirming a pending delivery. Once they obtain the OTP, the attackers can take control of the victim’s WhatsApp account.
  2. Fake Emergency Calls: Fraudulent emergency calls are made, often claiming that a family member is in police custody or in imminent danger. The pressure generated by fear leads victims to share personal information or transfer money without verifying the authenticity of the situation.

Security Recommendations for Users

To mitigate the risks and avoid falling victim to these attacks, the PTA provides the following key recommendations:

  • Identity Verification: Do not transfer money or share personal information unless the source of the request is fully verified.
  • Sensitive Data Protection: Never share sensitive details like CNIC (Identity Card) numbers, passwords or OTP received on your mobile phone. Disclosure of this information may lead to financial fraud or unauthorized account access.
  • Awareness and Surveillance: Public awareness and surveillance are the primary tools against these growing cyber threats.

The PTA also recommends reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities to help curb cybercrime across the country. By following these precautions, users can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams.