Fake E-Challan SMS Scams on the Rise, Citizens Warned to Stay Alert

Karachi: Authorities have issued a warning to citizens regarding a rise in fraudulent SMS messages being circulated in the name of e-challan payments.
According to a spokesperson of Safe City Authority, official e-challan messages are only sent from the shortcode “9915” and never include any payment links or requests for online financial details.
The spokesperson clarified that if any message from “9915” or other numbers contains suspicious links or asks for bank or card information, citizens should immediately exercise caution and avoid responding.
Officials said that scammers are using different numbers to send fake e-challan messages and trick citizens into sharing sensitive banking information, leading to financial losses. They emphasized that Safe City never requests payments or financial details via SMS.
The authority further stated that service providers have been alerted, and legal action is being taken against individuals involved in creating fake websites and fraudulent systems.
Citizens have been advised not to click on unknown links and to verify e-challans only through the official website or by using the e-Pay Punjab app after generating a PSID.
For verification and assistance, citizens can also contact helpline 15 and select option 6 for e-challan-related information.
Safe City officials reiterated that efforts are ongoing to protect the public from digital fraud and cyber scams.