PTA alerts users to SIM fraud, biometric scams, and unauthorized registrations

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an important warning for mobile phone users, saying that giving your SIM card to someone else is a punishable offence. The authority said that if a SIM registered in your name is used for illegal activities, you could face serious legal consequences.

PTA advised users to regularly check how many SIM cards are registered against their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). People can do this by visiting cnic.sims.pk or by sending their CNIC number, without dashes, in an SMS to 668. If users find any unknown or unnecessary SIM registered in their name, they should have it blocked immediately.

The authority also urged people to buy new SIM cards only from authorized franchises or official customer service centres. It said this helps ensure that the SIM is properly registered and reduces the risk of fraud.

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PTA further advised users to make sure that no SIM card has been registered in their name without their knowledge or permission. Regularly checking registered SIMs can help prevent misuse and identity-related fraud.

Earlier, PTA had also warned the public not to complete biometric verification in exchange for offers of free SIM cards. The authority said fraudsters can misuse biometric data to issue additional SIMs in a person’s name without their knowledge.