Want to buy a phone? Here’s what PTA advises to help you avoid fraud

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued an advisory to help citizens avoid fraud when purchasing new or used mobile phones.

To protect consumers, PTA recommends several steps to verify a phone’s legitimacy.

To stay safe and avoid scams, PTA advises buying smartphones only from reputable sources and ensuring the devices come with a warranty. PTA also recommends consumers follow these guidelines to avoid fraud:

1. Purchase only box-packed phones and verify the PTA stamp on the box. Ensure the IMEI number on the box matches the IMEI on the phone itself.
2. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, such as expensive phones sold at unusually low prices or without a warranty.
3. Conduct the IMEI verification in the presence of the shop owner to ensure authenticity.

PTA offers two verification methods for consumers to check a phone’s status:

1. SMS Verification: Send the 15-digit IMEI number via SMS to 8484, and PTA will reply with the device status.
2. Online Verification: Visit the PTA’s Device Verification System at [https://dvs.pta.gov.pk/] (https://dvs.pta.gov.pk/) to enter the IMEI number and check the device’s status.