Summary
- ISLAMABAD: A notice circulating on social media and attributed to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) claims that answering a call from a particular phone number could allow scammers to steal money from Jazz Cash, Easypaisa and other mobile accounts within seconds.
- The telecommunications regulator later used its official social media accounts to reject the circulating document, describing the alleged alert as “fake and misleading.” The authority clarified that the warning being shared online did not originate from the PTA.
- While users should remain cautious about suspicious calls, messages and requests for financial information, the specific viral claim about this phone number should not be treated as an official PTA security alert.
The claim is false.
The alleged warning, which names the number (051) 7080507 has been widely shared across social media platforms. The message tells users not to answer calls from the number, suggesting that simply picking up could give fraudsters access to their mobile financial accounts.
What does the viral claim say?
On September 3, a user on X shared an alleged PTA notice warning people about calls from (051) 7080507.
According to the post answering the call could supposedly allow criminals to withdraw money from users’ Jazz Cash, Easypaisa or other mobile accounts within a matter of seconds.
The claim subsequently spread across other platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, reaching a wider audience and prompting concern among users.
What did the PTA say?
The PTA has denied issuing the alleged warning.
PTA Director General for International Relations and Government Affairs Ahmed Shamim confirmed that the authority had not released any such notice.
The telecommunications regulator later used its official social media accounts to reject the circulating document, describing the alleged alert as “fake and misleading.”
The authority clarified that the warning being shared online did not originate from the PTA.
There are also visible differences between the viral document and genuine PTA communications. The wording, language and formatting of the circulating notice do not match the style normally used in official PTA notices.
The verdict
The viral notice claiming that answering a call from (051) 7080507 can immediately result in money being stolen from JazzCash, Easypaisa or other mobile accounts is fake.
The PTA has confirmed that it did not issue the warning and has itself described the circulating document as false and misleading.
While users should remain cautious about suspicious calls, messages and requests for financial information, the specific viral claim about this phone number should not be treated as an official PTA security alert.
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