The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has just issued an important public warning about a new e-challan SMS scam targeting the citizens of Punjab.
There have been a number of complaints of recent from residents who’ve received text messages claiming to be official traffic violation notices. The fake messages are coming from fake numbers and are trying to deceive citizens and gain access to their financial or personal details.
The authorities have requested the general public to be vigilant and cross-verify all the e-challan notifications before replying to them.
How the Fake E-Challan SMS Scam Works
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has announced that scammers are using the following fake number to send fake traffic fine alerts – 8070.
The aim of these messages is to look like official government messages, and to encourage their recipients to pay for services or provide confidential information.
Authorities explained that the official e-challan notification from the Government of Punjab is only sent through the official number 9915.
Citizens are strongly advised not to trust any SMS received on an unofficial number which relates to challan.
Authorities Warn Against Sharing Financial Information
Officials reiterated that Safe City officials never request citizens to give:
- Cash payments through SMS
- Bank account details
- ATM card information
- Debit or credit card numbers
- PIN codes or OTPs
The alert comes at a time when cyber fraud and phishing attacks are on the rise in Pakistan, particularly via the fake government communication and online platforms.
Public Advised to Verify E-Challan Messages
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority has urged the public to thoroughly check all such traffic infringement messages before acting on them.
Safety Tips for Citizens
Check the Official Number
Official Punjab e-challan SMS alerts are only sent from 9915.
Avoid Suspicious Links
Do not click unknown links included in fake messages.
Never Share Banking Information
Government agencies do not request financial details through SMS.
Confirm Through Official Channels
Verify challan information using official Punjab Safe Cities or traffic police platforms.
Report Suspicious Messages
Citizens are encouraged to report scam attempts to relevant authorities.
Rising Concern Over Digital Fraud
Experts say scammers increasingly use fake SMS alerts because they create urgency and confusion among users.
Common scam tactics include:
- Fake traffic challans
- Lottery winnings
- Banking verification requests
- Government subsidy claims
- Delivery payment scams
Cybersecurity specialists advise users to remain cautious whenever they receive unexpected requests for money or personal information.
Importance of Public Awareness
Authorities believe public awareness is one of the most effective ways to reduce online fraud and phishing attacks.
Officials urged citizens to:
- Educate family members about scams
- Verify official government communication channels
- Ignore suspicious payment demands
- Stay informed about digital fraud trends
The latest warning aims to prevent financial losses and identity theft among the public.
Government Continues Monitoring Fraud Activities
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority is continuing its investigation to find out which networks are using fake e-challans, it said.
Police can also prosecute operators or groups of individuals operating such schemes.
Authorities reiterated its efforts to strengthen digital security and ensuring citizens are protected from cybercrime.
The fake e-challan SMS scam alert from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority is a warning of the rising menace of SMS fraud on citizens of Punjab.
Officials have stated that an e-challan is issued only by the government authorities 9915 and bank/card details are not asked by government authorities through SMS.
The public is warned to be wary of any alerts received, to check all alerts thoroughly, and to never give out sensitive information to strangers on-line to prevent falling victim to online scams.
