Fake HEC Calls Alert: Commission Warns Students Against Degree Attestation Scams

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has issued an urgent public advisory warning students, graduates, and parents against a rising wave of fraudulent phone calls. Cybercriminals and scammers are actively impersonating HEC representatives, falsely offering degree attestation and verification services to steal sensitive personal information and extort money.

According to the official HEC alert, these fraudsters frequently promise expedited equivalence certificates or immediate degree attestations. In exchange, they deceitfully demand direct bank payments, passwords, or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) sent to the victim's mobile number.

Official HEC Stance on Phone Services

The HEC has categorically clarified its standard operating procedures to help the public identify these scams:

No Phone Calls for Processing: The HEC does not contact individuals directly via phone calls to initiate or process degree attestation, equivalence, or verification.
Zero Over-The-Phone Payments: The commission never requests payments, PIN codes, passwords, or bank account details over a phone call.
No Third-Party Agents: The HEC has not authorized any third-party agents, private institutions, or social media pages to act on its behalf for these services.

Fraudulent Action	Correct HEC Protocol / Action to Take
Caller demands attestation fee over the phone	Decline immediately. HEC fees are only processed securely via the official portal.
Caller asks for your OTP or password	Never share an OTP. HEC will never ask for login credentials.
Third-party agent offers "Fast-Track" verification	Ignore. HEC does not authorize any third-party agents.

How to Verify Your Degree Securely

The Higher Education Commission reiterates that there is only one legitimate channel for degree-related services. Students and graduates must exclusively use the official HEC online service portal at eservices.hec.gov.pk or visit the primary website at www.hec.gov.pk.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call

If you are targeted by one of these fraudulent calls, the HEC and cybercrime authorities recommend taking immediate action to protect yourself and others:

Do Not Share Information: Disconnect the call immediately. Do not share any financial details, CNIC numbers, or security codes.
Report to Telecom Operators: Call your telecom provider's helpline (e.g., Jazz, Zong, Telenor, Ufone) and report the number for immediate blocking.
Register a PTA Complaint: You can report the scammer's number directly to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) via their toll-free helpline at 0800-55055.
Contact Cyber Crime Authorities: If you have already suffered financial loss or data theft, report the incident to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) National Cyber Crime Response Centre (NCCRC).

Source Citation: News report verified via national media and official HEC public advisories.