ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a critical warning to the public following the discovery of a fraudulent SIM card operation exploiting the offer of free mobile SIMs.
In an official advisory, PTA urged citizens to avoid exposing their biometric verification details to prevent unauthorized SIM issuance. The authority highlighted the risk of fraudulent SIM cards being issued under unsuspecting consumers’ names, leading to potential misuse and legal complications.
Do not share your biometric verification details, as fraudulent SIM cards could be registered in your name without your knowledge, PTA cautioned.
The advisory further emphasized that unauthorized use of SIM cards registered in a person’s name could lead to serious legal issues. To mitigate this, PTA strongly recommends that citizens only purchase new SIM cards directly from authorized mobile company customer service centers or franchises, ensuring that all legal requirements are met.
PTA also advised individuals to ensure that no SIM card is registered under their name without their consent. Citizens have been urged to immediately block any unused or additional SIMs registered under their identity.
The PTA continues to monitor the situation closely and reassures the public that measures are being taken to curb the illegal SIM card trade.
Read also: No data, no deduction: PTA introduces balance protection service
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a new facility to protect mobile users from unexpected data charges, allowing them to safeguard their balance from extra deductions.
According to an official statement, users often face financial loss when their internet data package expires but usage continues. In such cases, expensive pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates are automatically applied, quickly consuming the remaining balance.
In a bid to resolve this challenge, the PTA has mandated all mobile network operators to offer a “Balance Save” or PAYG blocker service. With this service, mobile internet will be disabled once a user runs out of data bundles.
