The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a public advisory warning citizens about fraudulent phone calls made by individuals falsely claiming to represent the commission.
According to the advisory, scammers are impersonating HEC officials to deceive people and obtain sensitive personal and financial information. Therefore, the commission has urged the public to remain alert and avoid sharing confidential details over the phone.
The warning comes as authorities continue to caution citizens against increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts carried out through fake calls and digital communication.
HEC Warns Against Impersonation Scams
The Higher Education Commission said fraudsters are falsely presenting themselves as HEC representatives during phone calls.
According to the commission, these individuals attempt to gain the trust of citizens before asking for sensitive information. As a result, unsuspecting people may become victims of financial or identity-related fraud.
The HEC emphasized that it does not authorize any individual or organization to contact members of the public on its behalf.
Furthermore, the commission clarified that it never requests money, banking details, PINs, passwords, or personal information through phone calls.
Citizens Advised Not to Share Personal Information
The commission has advised the public to exercise caution if they receive suspicious calls claiming to be from the HEC.
Citizens should immediately avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers. Instead, they should verify any communication through the commission’s official channels.
Remaining vigilant can help prevent financial losses and protect sensitive personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
Report Suspicious Calls to Relevant Authorities
The HEC has also urged citizens to report fraudulent calls to the appropriate authorities.
People receiving suspicious calls should notify their telecom operator without delay. In addition, such incidents should be reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) National Cyber Crime Response Centre (NCCRC).
Prompt reporting can help authorities investigate fraudulent activities and prevent similar scams from targeting others.
Victims of Financial Fraud Urged to Act Quickly
The commission also issued guidance for individuals who become victims of financial fraud.
Anyone suffering a financial loss should immediately report the incident to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Early reporting may assist the relevant institutions in responding to fraudulent transactions.
Moreover, the HEC advised citizens to rely only on its official communication channels for authentic information and services.
The commission reiterated that official updates, announcements, and public services are communicated only through its verified platforms. Therefore, citizens should remain cautious and verify any suspicious communication before taking action.
