The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned citizens about a growing form of fraud in which criminals impersonate courier-company representatives and attempt to obtain sensitive information, including one-time passwords (OTPs), from unsuspecting customers.
Follow Times of Karachi on Google News and add as a preferred Source on Google
According to the PTA’s public-awareness guidance, people may receive calls from individuals claiming to represent courier companies and informing them that a parcel or shipment is being delivered.
The callers may then ask recipients to provide an OTP or other personal information to complete the delivery process.
The PTA has urged citizens to remain cautious and never share an OTP with anyone, particularly unknown callers claiming to represent courier companies or other organisations.
Fraudsters can use convincing stories and impersonation to gain the trust of potential victims. The PTA has previously warned consumers about deceptive tactics used to obtain personal information and urged people to rely on official platforms and channels.
A recent cybercrime case also highlighted the risks associated with courier impersonation. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said in August that it had arrested a suspect in Lahore who allegedly posed as a courier-company representative to obtain OTPs from citizens and subsequently hack their WhatsApp accounts.
An OTP is an important security mechanism used to verify certain transactions or account activities. Depending on the service involved, sharing such a code can potentially allow an unauthorised person to complete an action or gain access to an account.
The public is advised to follow these precautions:
- Never share an OTP with a caller, even if the person claims to be a courier representative.
- Do not provide passwords, PINs, banking information or other confidential details to unknown callers.
- Verify parcel and shipment information through the courier company’s official website, app or helpline instead of relying solely on an incoming call.
- Be especially cautious if a caller creates a sense of urgency or claims that a parcel will be cancelled or withheld unless information is provided.
- Do not click on suspicious links received through SMS, WhatsApp or other messaging platforms.
- Report suspicious numbers, messages or fraudulent activity through the appropriate authorities and service providers.
The PTA has also continued to strengthen its complaint mechanisms. In September, the authority launched an upgraded telecom complaints app that includes a module for reporting suspected fraudulent activity involving mobile numbers.
The authority has previously advised consumers to use its Complaint Management System for reporting suspicious numbers and fraudulent links.
Citizens are advised to treat unexpected calls about parcels, deliveries, account verification or payment confirmation with caution.
If a caller requests an OTP or other security information, consumers should end the call and independently contact the relevant courier company or service provider using an official contact number.
The safest approach is simple: an OTP should remain private and should not be disclosed to another person over the phone.
