Web desk: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) issued an alert to the public, warning them about fraudulent calls and messages impersonating government officials or banks, on Monday.
NCCIA emphasised that official institutions such as banks, NADRA, the Army, or FIA never contact citizens via WhatsApp calls. Any such call claiming to be from these authorities should be immediately blocked.
The agency also warned that requests for one-time passwords (OTPs) on mobile phones are always fraudulent and should be treated with caution.
NCCIA further clarified that legitimate banks will never threaten customers with account closures over calls or messages.
Citizens are also urged to remain careful and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The alert comes as part of NCCIA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about cyber fraud and protect the public from financial and digital scams.
Previously, the NCCIA also released guidelines regarding what to do if your WhatsApp gets hacked.
What to do if your WhatsApp is hacked
Immediate steps in case of hacking
According to NCCIA, affected users should uninstall WhatsApp from their mobile phone and reinstall it.
During login, users must enter their registered phone number.
A six digit verification code will be sent via SMS. This code should be entered immediately.
The agency explained that once the code is entered, WhatsApp will automatically log out the hacker.
WhatsApp can remain active on only one device at a time.
Two-step verification clarification
NCCIA said in some cases, WhatsApp may ask users to wait for seven days if the hacker has enabled two-step verification and the original user does not know the PIN.
The agency advised users not to panic in such situations. It clarified that once the SMS code is entered, the hacker is fully logged out.
During the waiting period, no one can use the account or read messages.
Account recovery through email
NCCIA said users who have linked an email address to their WhatsApp account can recover access more quickly.
They can click on the “Forgot PIN” option and reset the PIN without waiting.
General public advisory
The agency urged the public to remain cautious while using social media and messaging applications.
Users were advised to avoid clicking on suspicious links and not to share personal information with unknown sources.
