Fake/Fabricated M-PAiSA SMS Messages

Scammers send “genuine looking” SMS messages to random mobile numbers stating that they have received funds via M-PAiSA. The scammer then calls the person to whom the message is sent to say they sent money by mistake and requests the person to transfer the amount back to the scammer number when in fact they never sent the money.

How to verify it’s not a scam?

  • Always check the number from which you received the SMS. Genuine M-PAiSA messages are sent only from 181
  • Check if your M-PAiSA account balance increased by the amount in the message
  • Confirm the transaction in your transaction history and verify the receipt number.
  • Seek confirmation from Customer Service (123, 124, or 125 for Post-pay customers) to validate the legitimacy of the transaction if not sure.
  • Follow the above steps to avoid being scammed.

Fake Successfully Transferred SMS forwarded

Scammers attempt to obtain goods or services from businesses and offer to pay via M-PAiSA. Instead they edit and forward old M-PAiSA receipt messages stored on their phone to show they have paid when they haven’t.

How to verify it’s not a scam?

  • Always check the number from which you have received SMS. Genuine M-PAiSA receipts are sent from 181.
  • Check if your M-PAiSA account balance increased by the stated amount
  • Confirm the transaction in your transaction history and verify the receipt number.
  • Seek confirmation from Customer Service (123, 124, or 125 for Post-pay customers) to validate the legitimacy of the transaction.
  • For business payments, verify the transaction in the merchant portal to confirm receipt.

Impersonation

Scammers create fake social media profiles of random individuals, inserting their photos available online, and then send messages to their family, friends, or colleagues asking to send money since they are in urgent need.

How to verify it’s not a scam?

  • Verify the person’s identity by making a direct call to the mobile number of the person they claim to be, to ensure it’s the person they say they are.
  • Check the mobile number linked to the profile to confirm the identity claimed by the scammer. The number will always be a different number than the actual number of the person who is being impersonated.

POS Upgrade Scam Calls

Scammers, claiming to be Vodafone staff, call M-PAiSA agents lying about upgrading their POS machines or fixing network issues. During the process, they ask the agent to press a few buttons on the POS and follow steps given by the scammer, which results in the agent doing a deposit transaction to the scammer’s mobile number/M-PAiSA account.

How to verify it’s not a scam?

  • Vodafone will communicate all official upgrades in writing and may personally visit for such activities. POS upgrade instructions are NEVER given over the phone by Vodafone.
  • Any person claiming to be from Vodafone must present a company ID for verification.
  • Confirm any upgrade activity with your distributor or known contact person before acting on instructions over the phone.
  • Vodafone will never ask agents over a call to deposit funds into personal mobile numbers. For all deposit transactions in M-PAiSA, the customer must first hand over cash to the agent and must be present in person.
  • Check with managers or supervisors for official communication regarding upgrades if the caller claims to have spoken to the shop owner/manager/supervisor.

Fake Taxi Permit

Scammers, pretending to be LTA officials, call and ask for funds in return for a taxi permit.

Scam Identification Points:

  • Taxi permits are not distributed without due process and proper application processing. All legitimate payment is made directly to LTA, not to someone’s personal M-PAiSA number.
  • LTA or any other legitimate business transaction will not request funds to be transferred to any personal M-PAiSA number. Use M-PAiSA QR or payment options in M-PAiSA to make payments to businesses to avoid being scammed.
  • Legitimate transactions to LTA or any business will provide a receipt for payment.
  • To obtain a taxi permit, proper application process with LTA must be followed.

Fake Rental Hire Service

Scammers create fake business pages/posts such as car rental businesses on social media, asking people to send money via M-PAiSA to book a rental.

How do I know it’s not a scam?

  • Verify the legitimacy of the advertised business.
  • Be careful when transferring money to unknown persons’ personal mobile numbers.
  • Demand to know if the business is registered to receive payments via M-PAiSA. It must show under “Payments” if it is.
  • Check for misleading details in the business advertisement, such as location and business name.
  • Most fake businesses on social media, such as on Facebook, are created only days before they start scamming people.
  • If making payments to a registered business, search the business name in M-PAiSA App under payment to ensure it’s a genuine business.
↑