MyAdhan Blog

Link: Pakistan: Detecting fraud sms messages

I would like to bring this to the attention of the authorities that there are many hoax calls and SMS messages being sent over networks, with some conning the recipient in sending some of their credit over to another user’s number, while the message appears from a normal subscriber number rather than the number of the telecom operator.

Here are some tips which users should consider when they receive such SMS messages:

1. See where the message is coming from. Cellular operators would either replace the 8+3 digit telephone number with a short code, or would replace it with their name. Cellular operators would not use an ordinary subscriber number to contact its subscribers.
2. Note the language used in these messages. If the message is in English, they often have poor grammar and spelling. Moreover, these messages ask you to call a specific number. Do note that if you have won a certain amount, the operators would automatically credit it to your account instead of asking you to credit it. Moreover, these numbers, when dialled or texted to, transfer credit from your account to the deceiver’s account. Please check with your operator the specific code required to transfer balance from one number to another.
3. Most of the time these messages appear from one operator’s number, while asking you to send the SMS (or dial the number) which belongs to another operator. This is the greatest giveaway.
4. Most of these messages have different characters used such as ê or ü or other variations. Telecom operators would not use these characters for professional reasons.
5. Often, these messages are written in English, but words and other constructs are in the Urdu language (often referred to as Roman Urdu). Again, companies would not employ Roman Urdu over SMS (unless it’s a phrase, which may be quoted) to contact their customers.

As far as calls are concerned, it would be wise to ask the caller their name, designation and their number. Upon failing to provide the information, they may hang up. At the same time, these unsolicited calls appear from another random number instead of a pool of numbers reserved for employees of a company. Sometimes the companies may call from their customer service numbers, which is easily recognisable (as they fall in the start of the number series). Upon visiting the websites of different cellular companies, not every company had this warning stating such fraudulent calls, however, the PTA has put up a warning. That isn’t enough to curb this menace; there ought to be a proper mechanism to block (and punish) these fraudulent callers. One operator recently started a blocking service, but that won’t be enough to finish this menace. Moreover, the authority has merely stated to be aware of these messages rather than inviting the affected to register the hoax texter/caller’s number on the PTA’s or the cellular operator’s site for immediate suspension. I would like everyone to take an initiative in this cause, and ask the parties concerned to do more rather than merely place a warning notice in a conspicuous manner, if there is any.