HEC Warns Citizens Against Fake Phone Calls Demanding Money for Degree Attestation 🇵🇰🎓⚠️📞🚨

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has issued an urgent public advisory warning students, graduates, and academic professionals against fraudulent phone calls, SMS alerts, and WhatsApp messages demanding payments and sensitive personal information under the pretext of degree attestation and document verification.

Cybercriminals and imposters are posing as HEC verification officers, contacting applicants directly and falsely claiming that their academic degrees face cancellation, rejection, or blacklisting unless urgent processing fees or bank details are provided.

The Commission has reaffirmed that it enforces a strict zero direct unsolicited contact policy. HEC does not call, text, or message individuals to solicit money, request one-time passwords (OTPs), or offer fast-tracked manual verification services.

Here is an operational guide detailing how the scam operates, the official procedures for authentic degree attestation, and how to report fraudulent activities to national law enforcement.

How the HEC Degree Attestation Scam Works

Fraud syndicates exploit students’ urgency—particularly applicants preparing documents for overseas university admissions, employment visas, or immigration deadlines.

                THE ATTRIBUTION & EXTORTION PATTERN
 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ STEP 1: SOCIAL ENGINEERING & IMPERSONATION                  │
 │ • Scammers contact targets via cellular calls or WhatsApp.  │
 │ • Display forged HEC logos, official titles, or fake badges.│
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ STEP 2: THREAT OF DEGREE CANCELLATION OR LEGAL ACTION       │
 │ • Claiming undergraduate/postgraduate degrees are "unverified"│
 │ • Threatening immediate suspension or revocation of records.│
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ STEP 3: DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL TRANSFERS            │
 │ • Demanding direct transfers via EasyPaisa, JazzCash, or    │
 │   personal bank accounts under the guise of "urgent fees."  │
 │ • Requesting OTPs, national ID numbers (CNIC), or passwords.│
 └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Takeaways from the Official HEC Public Advisory

The Higher Education Commission has underscored four vital safeguards:

1. No Unsolicited Calls or Messages: HEC never contacts applicants by phone or WhatsApp to demand fees, verify credentials, or expedite processing.
2. No Direct Banking or Mobile Wallets: HEC does not accept fee transfers into personal bank accounts, EasyPaisa, or JazzCash numbers provided by callers.
3. Sole Official Portal: The only authentic platform for degree attestation, equivalence certificates, and status tracking is the official HEC E-Services portal: eservices.hec.gov.pk. Beware of spoofed or fake domains (e.g., unauthorized .org.pk links).
4. Secure Automated Invoicing: Legitimate HEC fee payments are handled exclusively through computerized 1Link / 1Bill PSID voucher systems generated inside your authenticated portal account.

Comparing Scam Tactics vs. Official HEC Procedures

Feature / Protocol	Fraudulent / Scam Channels ❌	Official HEC Procedure ✅
Communication Channel	Unsolicited mobile calls, WhatsApp messages, private SMS.	Automated system emails from verified HEC domains and official web portal notifications.
Payment Method	Personal JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or direct private bank transfers.	Secure 1Link/1Bill PSID vouchers payable via commercial bank mobile apps or ATMs.
Data Requests	Requests passwords, SMS OTPs, ATM PINs, or bank account numbers.	HEC never requests personal passwords, OTPs, or financial account details.
Urgency / Pressure	Threatens immediate degree cancellation, police action, or blocking.	Standardized tracking queues with official procedural review timelines.

How to Safely Attest Degrees & Equivalences via HEC

To ensure your higher education credentials remain secure and verified without risk of fraud:

• Step 1: Access the official portal directly at eservices.hec.gov.pk (never click unverified links sent via SMS or messaging apps).
• Step 2: Register an authenticated profile using your verified CNIC/Passport and email.
• Step 3: Enter your degree and transcript details, then upload clean digital scans.
• Step 4: Once preliminary online scrutiny is approved, generate the official 1Link PSID voucher within the portal and complete payment through online banking channels.
• Step 5: Choose either courier service (TCS/courier mode) or schedule an in-person walk-in appointment at an HEC regional center (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, or Quetta) for physical sticker verification.

Official Channels to Report Scams & Cyber Fraud

If you receive a fraudulent call or message attempting to extort funds using the HEC name, report the incident immediately:

                  OFFICIAL REPORTING CHANNELS
 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ 1. PAKISTAN TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY (PTA)               │
 │ • Toll-Free Helpline: 0800-55055                            │
 │ • Online Complaints: complaint.pta.gov.pk                   │
 │ • Purpose: Immediate blocking of fraudulent SIMs & devices. │
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ 2. NATIONAL CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NCCIA / FIA)  │
 │ • Cyber Crime Helpline: 1991                                │
 │ • Web Portal: complaints.fia.gov.pk                         │
 │ • Purpose: Formal criminal registration for financial fraud.│
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ 3. STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN (FOR FINANCIAL LOSSES)            │
 │ • Email: cpd.helpdesk@sbp.org.pk                            │
 │ • Purpose: Immediate dispute logging on compromised accounts│
 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ 4. OFFICIAL HEC DIRECT HELPLINE                             │
 │ • UAN: 051-111-119-432 / 0334-111-9432                      │
 │ • Official Portal: www.hec.gov.pk                           │
 └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Professional Advisory & Global Credential Positioning

Authenticating educational documents, aligning degrees with foreign equivalencies, and securing verified transcripts for international study visas and skilled worker migration requires strict adherence to statutory standards. Students, professionals, and overseas applicants seeking structured guidance on global academic applications and verification protocols can consult Mansory Consultancy.

📌 Public Safety Notice: Compiled from the official public fraud advisory published by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and regulatory notifications from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). HEC assumes no liability for financial losses incurred through transactions with unauthorized individuals, spoofed websites, or private phone numbers