ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an important statement addressing complaints regarding unexpected mobile balance deductions caused by unauthorized activation of value-added services (VAS).
It has been stated by the PTA that the authority has received complaints from consumers regarding the unauthorized activation of VAS, which resulted in unexpected mobile balance deductions. The PTA urged consumers to be careful and keep track of their mobile balance.
It has been stated that the services under VAS include caller tunes (ringback tones), daily SMS/internet packages, missed call alerts, mobile games, infotainment alerts, and more. It has also been clarified that no value-added services can be activated without the user’s explicit consent.
It has also been stated by the PTA that the activation of the services requires the user to give permission by sharing the one-time password (OTP) and entering the USSD code. If the user has not shared the OTP and has not used the USSD code, the services will not be activated.
“You should report any unneeded balance deductions to your telecom operator and make a formal complaint while you collect your complaint reference number,” the PTA instructed. “Operators must resolve the issue within the designated time frame. Users who need assistance after the first resolution should contact PTA through its Complete Management System (CMS) to file their complaints.”
The PTA dedicated itself to consumer rights protection while it maintained transparency and fairness throughout the telecom industry.
How many SIMs are in your name? PTA shows easy way to check
Similarly, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has requested citizens to verify their registered SIM card count because it helps them protect against unauthorized use of their SIM cards.
The PTA reports that people do not know how many SIMs their national identity card connects to which makes them open to digital threats. The authority emphasized that people need to understand that a SIM functions as a digital access point rather than just an ordinary chip.
The PTA warned that someone with a stolen or fraudulent SIM can access all sensitive information which includes bank accounts and mobile applications and WhatsApp accounts.
Citizens can check their registered SIMs by sending their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number without dashes to 668. The user must immediately stop any unauthorized or suspicious SIM that appears on their system.
The PTA urged the public to carry out this verification promptly to safeguard their digital identity and prevent fraud or illegal use. The authority implements this measure to improve digital security while decreasing identity theft cases.
