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حقدارHaqdaar · Unofficial guide
اردو

Common scams and how to spot them

Haqdaar wrote these examples, based on official warnings, to show each pattern. They are not real messages from real people, and numbers are masked.

Three things that keep you safe

  1. BISP messages come only from 8171

    A message from any other number, WhatsApp account or link is fake.

  2. Registration is free

    There is no fee to register with BISP or to receive a payment. Report any deduction on 0800-26477.

  3. There is no online PMT checker

    Any website that claims to show your PMT score is fake.

Source: bisp.gov.pk (Press Release No. 20, 10 Mar 2026)Checked on: Source: PhoneWorld (Report on fake "8171 check online" sites, quoting a BISP official) (not official, so not linked)Checked on:

Got a suspicious message? Check it here · Common scams

An “8171” message from a mobile number

Example (written by Haqdaar):

From: 03XX-XXXXXXX
Mubarak ho! Aap ki BISP 8171 ki raqam Rs 25,000 jari ho gayi hai. Hasil karne ke liye is number par rabta karein.

Why it is fake:

  • BISP’s only official number is 8171; a number starting 03 is not official.
  • “Congratulations” and the lure of a big amount.

What to do: Do not reply or call back. If unsure, ask 0800-26477.

Source: bisp.gov.pk (Press Release No. 20, 10 Mar 2026)Checked on:

A fee to “release” your payment

Example (written by Haqdaar):

Aap ki qist rok di gayi hai. Rs 1,500 processing fee Easypaisa XXXX par bhejein, raqam foran jari ho jaye gi.

Why it is fake:

  • All BISP services and registration are free.
  • Being asked to send money to a mobile wallet is a sure sign of fraud.

What to do: Send nothing. Complain on 0800-26477.

Source: bisp.gov.pk (Press Release No. 20, 10 Mar 2026)Checked on:

An online “PMT score check” website

Example (written by Haqdaar):

8171 web portal: apna CNIC likh kar PMT score aur eligibility online check karein → 8171-check-online.example

Why it is fake:

  • There is no online PMT score checker.
  • The website does not end in .gov.pk.
  • It collects your CNIC number.

What to do: Never type your CNIC into such a site. The official site is bisp.gov.pk.

Source: pid.gov.pk (PR No. 59: BISP and PTA act on fake 8171 messages and websites, 5 Jul 2024)Checked on:

Registration through a WhatsApp “agent”

Example (written by Haqdaar):

Ehsaas/BISP nayi registration shuru. Ghar baithe registration ke liye WhatsApp karein 03XX-XXXXXXX (agent).

Why it is fake:

  • Registration happens only at a BISP tehsil office or registration van, free of charge.
  • Official programmes do not work through agents.

What to do: Do not contact the agent. Go to the nearest tehsil office.

Source: bisp.gov.pk (National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) page)Checked on:

Asking you to share a code or PIN

Example (written by Haqdaar):

BISP office se bol raha hoon. Aap ke mobile par 6 digit code aaya hai, wo bata dein taa ke raqam aap ke account mein transfer ho.

Why it is fake:

  • No official office asks for your OTP or PIN.
  • Sharing the code can empty your mobile wallet or bank account.

What to do: Never share the code; hang up.

Source: Haqdaar (General safety advice (our own writing)) (not official, so not linked)Checked on:

A prize or lucky draw

Example (written by Haqdaar):

Benazir lucky draw mein aap ka naam nikla hai! Inaam hasil karne ke liye link par click karein: bisp-inaam.example

Why it is fake:

  • BISP does not run prizes or lucky draws.
  • The link is not a government (.gov.pk) site.

What to do: Do not open the link. Report it to PTA on 0800-55055.

Source: pta.gov.pk (Advisory on deceptive links and official platforms, 22 Dec 2023)Checked on:

A laptop scheme “registration or delivery fee”

Example (written by Haqdaar):

Congratulations! Aap ka laptop approve ho gaya hai. Delivery charges Rs 2,000 JazzCash XXXX par bhejein.

Why it is fake:

  • The CM Punjab laptop scheme’s official site says there is no application fee.
  • It asks for money to a mobile wallet.

What to do: Send nothing. Check status only on the official portal or with your university.

Source: cmlaptophed.punjab.gov.pk (CM Punjab Laptop Scheme website)Checked on:

A loan approval “file fee”

Example (written by Haqdaar):

Interest-free karobar loan Rs 10 lakh 100% approved. File charges Rs 5,000 jama karwain aur 24 ghante mein loan hasil karein.

Why it is fake:

  • Pressure such as “100% approved” and “24 hours”.
  • The Asaan Karobar Card’s only processing fee is Rs 500, paid on the official portal.

What to do: Apply only on akc.punjab.gov.pk. Call 1786 with questions.

Source: punjab.gov.pk (Asaan Karobar Card page)Checked on:

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