8171 Scam Alert: Protect Yourself from Ehsaas Program Scammers 2024

 

8171 Scam Alert: Protect Yourself from Ehsaas Program Scammers

The Ehsaas Program, a vital social safety net in Pakistan, has unfortunately become a target for scammers. These fraudsters exploit the program's legitimacy to trick people out of money and personal information. If you've received a call or message from the number 8171, be cautious!

Here's what you need to know:

• The Real 8171: The Ehsaas Program does use 8171 to send messages to registered beneficiaries. These messages typically contain information about program updates, eligibility checks, or payment statuses.

• The Scam: Scammers pretend to be representatives of the Ehsaas Program (or the older Benazir Income Support Program - BISP) and contact people through phone calls or SMS. They might:

  • Falsely claim your registration is incomplete or your payment is on hold.
  • Promise to expedite registration or increase benefits for a fee.
  • Threaten to cancel your eligibility if you don't provide personal information.

• How to Protect Yourself:

  • Never share personal information: This includes your CNIC number, bank details, or one-time passwords (OTPs). The Ehsaas Program won't ask for this information over the phone or SMS.
  • Don't make payments: Legitimate registration and updates for the Ehsaas Program are free.
  • Verify information: If unsure about a message, contact the Ehsaas Program through official channels:
    • Visit the official Ehsaas Program website.
    • Use the designated helpline numbers.

• Report Scams: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Ehsaas Program using the official complaint channels.

Remember: The Ehsaas Program prioritizes transparency and will never pressure you for money or personal information. Stay vigilant, and rely only on official sources for program updates.

For further information:

• You can find the official Ehsaas Program website by searching the web.
• Report scams to the Ehsaas Program using the contact details available on their official website.

Beware of Scammers Mimicking Ehsaas Program Via SMS (8171)!

While the Ehsaas Program uses the number 8171 to send legitimate messages to beneficiaries, scammers are trying to exploit this trust. Here's how to identify and avoid these scams:

The Scam:

• You receive an SMS from a number (possibly even appearing as 8171) claiming to be from the Ehsaas Program.
• The message might:
  • Falsely claim incomplete registration or delayed payments.
  • Promise to expedite registration or increase benefits for a fee.
  • Threaten to cancel your eligibility if you don't provide personal information.

Protecting Yourself:

• Never share personal details: This includes your CNIC number, bank details, or one-time passwords (OTPs) – the Ehsaas Program won't ask for this via SMS.
• Don't make payments: Registration and updates for the Ehsaas Program are free.
• Verify information: If unsure about a message, contact the Ehsaas Program directly through official channels:
  • Visit the official Ehsaas Program website (you can find it by searching the web).
  • Use the designated helpline numbers provided on the website.

Report Scams:

• If you suspect a scam, report it to the Ehsaas Program using the official complaint channels available on their website.

Remember:

The Ehsaas Program prioritizes transparency and will never pressure you for money or personal information. Stay vigilant and rely only on official sources for program updates.

User Safety FAQ: Your Guide to Staying Secure

This FAQ aims to answer your questions about staying safe while using our platform. If your question isn't listed here, feel free to reach out to our support team for further assistance.

Protecting Your Information:

• Q: What information do you collect about me?
  • A: We collect information you provide during registration and use of the platform. This may include your name, email address, and usage data. We outline exactly what data is collected and how it's used in our Privacy Policy (link to Privacy Policy).
• Q: How do you keep my information safe?
  • A: We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information. This includes secure data storage and encryption protocols. You can find more details about our security practices in our Security Policy (link to Security Policy).
• Q: What should I do if I suspect someone is trying to access my account?
  • A: If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password immediately and contact our support team to report the issue.

Avoiding Scams and Fraud:

• Q: How can I identify scams on your platform?
  • A: Be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information, money, or unusual offers. Never click on suspicious links or attachments.
• Q: What should I do if I encounter a scam?
  • A: Report the scam to us immediately through our designated reporting channels (link to reporting method).
• Q: How can I protect myself from phishing attacks?
  • A: Don't enter your login credentials on any website other than our official platform. Be cautious of emails or messages urging you to click on links or download files.

General Safety:

• Q: What are your guidelines for appropriate user behavior?
  • A: We have clear guidelines outlined in our Terms of Service (link to Terms of Service) which promote respectful and safe interactions on the platform.
• Q: How can I report inappropriate user behavior?
  • A: You can report inappropriate content or behavior through our reporting system (link to reporting method).
• Q: Where can I find additional resources about online safety?
  • A: We provide links to helpful resources on our website (link to safety resources page).

Remember:

• Our top priority is your safety.
• If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact our support team.
• Stay informed! Regularly review our policies and safety resources to stay up-to-date.