The HEC has issued a public advisory warning citizens about fraudulent phone calls made by individuals pretending to represent the commission. The warning comes after reports that scammers are impersonating HEC officials to obtain personal and financial information from members of the public.
According to the commission, these callers falsely claim to be associated with HEC and attempt to convince people to share sensitive details. The commission stressed that these calls are fraudulent and should not be trusted.
The HEC clarified that it has not authorized any individual, company, or organization to contact citizens on its behalf. It said all official communication is carried out through its approved channels and not through unsolicited phone calls.
The commission also emphasized that it never asks people to provide money, bank account details, PINs, passwords, or any confidential information over the phone. Citizens have been advised to treat any such request as suspicious and avoid responding to it.
The advisory urges the public to remain alert and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers. Even if the caller claims to be an HEC representative, people should verify the information through official sources before taking any action.
The commission also encouraged citizens to report suspicious phone calls to their mobile service provider. Reporting such incidents can help telecom operators identify and block fraudulent numbers used by scammers.
In addition, the HEC advised the public to report these calls to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) National Cyber Crime Response Centre (NCCRC). These authorities are responsible for investigating cyber-related crimes and taking action against those involved in online and phone-based fraud.
The commission further stated that anyone who becomes a victim of financial fraud should immediately inform the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Prompt reporting can help authorities investigate the incident and may reduce the risk of further financial loss.
The warning highlights the growing threat of phone scams targeting individuals across the country. Fraudsters often pretend to represent government departments or well-known organizations to gain the trust of victims. They then attempt to collect sensitive information that can be used for financial fraud or identity theft.
The HEC reminded citizens that official announcements, notices, and services are always shared through its verified communication platforms. People should rely only on these official channels when seeking information or responding to any requests related to the commission.
The commission urged everyone to stay vigilant and help spread awareness about such scams. Public awareness can play an important role in preventing fraud and protecting individuals from financial losses.
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By following official guidelines and reporting suspicious activity, citizens can help authorities identify scammers and reduce the misuse of government institutions’ names for fraudulent purposes. The HEC said it will continue informing the public about such threats and encouraged everyone to remain cautious when receiving unexpected phone calls.
