The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public alert warning citizens to be vigilant against a surge in online fraud cases involving scammers posing as representatives of courier and delivery companies.
According to the PTA, fraudsters are contacting people via phone or messaging apps under the guise of delivering a parcel and then requesting a One-Time Password (OTP) that is sent to the user's mobile phone. The aim is to gain unauthorized access to victims' online accounts and steal sensitive personal data.
The authority emphasized that OTP codes are the digital keys to users’ online accounts, similar to passwords, and must be kept strictly confidential.
“Under no circumstances should an OTP be shared with anyone — even if the person claims to be a delivery agent or courier company representative,” the PTA said in its statement.
The PTA clarified that this method of obtaining OTPs is part of a larger, organized fraud network designed to hijack user accounts for financial theft and data breaches.
Public urged to stay vigilant
The telecom regulator urged the public to immediately report any suspicious activity or attempts to solicit OTPs to the relevant authorities. “Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to trick people. Public awareness is our first line of defense,” a PTA spokesperson stated.
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