Tech Desk 
Aug 26, 2024
Pakistanis continue to face ongoing fraud issues due to its wide population, poor economy, and gaps in regulatory and enforcement systems with no awareness.
There is a common short message service (SMS) scam that has surfaced again. The text message warns: "Dear customer your Automated teller machine (ATM) card has been closed by State Bank due to non-verification yet if you want to keep using your ATM card contact us." As you are required to contact a certain number to keep using your card.
It is to be noted that the SMS comes from someone’s phone number rather than an official number. It offers another personal mobile number to contact rather than a bank helpline. Additionally, it communicates in poor English, which is generally not the way with texts sent from official sources.
You can also confirm if your debit/credit card works through your banking app or by using it at an ATM. This isn’t the first time this scam has been showcased in SMS texts. It has been afflicting mobile users for years but has appeared again.
Fake delivery package scam
There is a relatable SMS fraud that has emerged again. It claimed that your package from an online order had been seized or delayed since it had an incomplete address. It asks you to verify your information at a malicious link and then asks for money.
These scammers often pose as officials from Pakistan Post, but Pakistan Post’s official website has had a banner warning against these fake SMS texts for ages now.
According to Fateh Mehmood, a parcel was waiting for delivery and requesting his address. Short Message Service (SMS) included a link, as scammers ask people to enter their correct address and it also mentioned the Rs89 re-delivery fees. When the man tried paying Rs89, he was alerted by his bank that there were insufficient funds in his account. As he checked what was going on, it turned out that the scammer tried to withdraw around Rs400,000 from a mobile shop in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
