The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned citizens to be careful with their biometric data and one-time passwords (OTPs), saying fraudsters are misusing fingerprints and OTPs to carry out scams. In a statement, the authority advised people to share sensitive information only at authorised centres and never to pass on an OTP to anyone.
According to the PTA, citizens should give their fingerprints and other biometric information only at the authorised customer service centres, franchises or approved sales outlets of mobile network operators when obtaining a new SIM card or any other telecom service. The authority said people must first confirm what their biometric data is being used for before providing it, and should ask the person taking the data why it is needed.
The PTA said biometric data should never be handed over to an unauthorised person, shopkeeper or anyone else who is not connected with the service. Giving fingerprints at the wrong place, it warned, could allow the information to be misused, including for obtaining SIM cards or services in someone else’s name. The warning covers every situation in which fingerprints are requested for a SIM or a telecom service.
OTP fraud through fake courier calls
The authority also warned citizens about a separate scam in which fraudsters pose as representatives of courier companies and telephone people to obtain their OTPs. According to the PTA, the callers claim that an OTP is needed to complete the delivery of a parcel or shipment, and then ask the victim to share the code or other secret information. The fraudsters make the call themselves and use the parcel as a pretext for asking for the code.
The PTA urged citizens never to share their OTP with any other person under any circumstances, especially with unknown callers who present themselves as representatives of a courier company or any other organisation. An OTP is meant only for the account holder, and sharing it can give fraudsters access to accounts and services.
According to the authority, the guidance is intended to keep citizens’ sensitive information safe, to prevent the misuse of biometric data and to protect people from possible fraud. The PTA said the precautions apply whenever a new SIM is issued or a telecom service is obtained, and whenever anyone asks for an OTP over the phone.
