A vigilant Meezan Bank customer has issued a crucial public warning after narrowly avoiding a sophisticated banking scam. The fraudster contacted him using a phone number that was identical to Meezan Bank’s official customer service line, a technique known as caller ID spoofing.
According to the customer, the caller sounded professional and authentic. Most alarmingly, the scammer already possessed detailed information about his bank account, which made the call seem legitimate. The ultimate goal was to trick the customer into revealing his One-Time Password (OTP).
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A Widespread Issue with Severe Consequences
The customer recorded the interaction and shared it online. The video quickly went viral, prompting many others to come forward with similar experiences. The financial losses reported by other victims are staggering, with amounts ranging from Rs. 10,000 to over Rs. 1.6 million.
This incident highlights a dangerous trend where scammers use advanced spoofing technology to appear as trusted institutions. By having prior knowledge of account details, possibly obtained from data breaches or phishing attacks, they build trust before making their fraudulent requests.
How to Protect Yourself
The customer’s experience serves as a critical reminder for all bank customers. To stay safe, always remember:
- Your bank will NEVER ask for your OTP, CNIC number, ATM PIN, or full debit card details over the phone.
- Do not trust Caller ID alone. Scammers can spoof official numbers.
- If in doubt, hang up and call your bank back directly using the official customer service number from their website or the back of your debit/credit card.
- Never share sensitive personal or financial information with an unsolicited caller.
If you receive a suspicious call, report it immediately to your bank and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did the scammer look like a real Meezan Bank number?
They used “caller ID spoofing,” a technology that allows them to falsify the phone number that appears on your screen to mimic the bank’s legitimate number.
2. What should I do if I get a call from my bank asking for an OTP?
Hang up immediately. It is a scam. Genuine bank representatives will never request your OTP or full PIN.
3. The caller knew my account details. Does that mean my bank’s security is breached?
Not necessarily. Scammers often obtain this information from other sources like data leaks from other websites, phishing emails, or malicious apps. They use this info to make their call seem credible.
4. I’ve already shared my details. What should I do?
Contact your bank’s fraud department immediately to freeze your accounts. Also, file a formal complaint with the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing to report the incident.
