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By Tanveer Ahmed :
Citizens urged not to click suspicious links or share OTPs with fraudsters posing as courier companies
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned the public to remain vigilant against a growing wave of fake courier delivery scams designed to steal personal and financial information.
According to the advisory, cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages and emails that appear to come from well-known courier and delivery companies. These messages typically claim that a parcel is delayed, requires additional payment or needs address verification.
The scammers often include malicious links that direct victims to fake websites or ask them to provide sensitive information, including One-Time Passwords (OTPs), banking details or personal credentials.
How the scam works
Fraudsters use fake delivery notifications to create a sense of urgency, encouraging recipients to click on suspicious links without verifying the sender.
In some cases, victims are asked to pay a small delivery fee, while others are tricked into sharing verification codes that can be used to gain access to online accounts or financial services.
Cybersecurity experts warn that legitimate courier companies generally do not ask customers to disclose OTPs or confidential account information through unsolicited messages.
PTA issues safety advice
The PTA has advised citizens to avoid interacting with suspicious delivery messages and to verify any shipment directly through the courier company’s official website or customer support channels.
The regulator recommends the following precautions:
- Do not click on links received from unknown or suspicious senders.
- Never share your OTP, passwords or banking information with anyone claiming to represent a courier company.
- Verify delivery notifications through official courier applications or websites.
- Delete and report suspicious messages to help prevent further scams.
Protecting your digital identity
The advisory forms part of the PTA’s ongoing awareness campaign aimed at reducing cyber fraud and protecting users from online scams.
Officials say staying cautious and verifying requests before responding can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft, financial fraud and unauthorised access to digital accounts.
As online shopping and home deliveries continue to grow across Pakistan, the PTA has urged the public to remain alert and remember a simple message: Don’t click. Don’t share. Don’t fall for it. Stay smart and stay safe online.
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