HEC Warns Public against Fake Calls Seeking Money, Personal Data

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has warned citizens against fraudulent calls from individuals posing as its representatives and seeking money or personal information in the name of degree attestation, equivalence and other services.

According to an advisory issued by HEC on Saturday, the commission has received complaints about fake calls in which fraudsters misuse HEC’s name to obtain money and sensitive information from citizens.

HEC clarified that it has not authorised any individual or representative to contact the public by phone to collect payments or obtain personal information for its services.

The commission also made it clear that it does not ask citizens to provide PIN codes, passwords or other sensitive financial information over phone calls.

HEC urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal, financial or other sensitive information with unknown callers claiming to represent the commission.

It advised those receiving suspicious calls to report them to their telecom operator’s helpline or the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). HEC further clarified that it neither provides its services nor demands payments through phone calls, urging citizens to use official channels for any commission-related services or transactions.