The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public advisory after receiving multiple complaints from consumers regarding unauthorized activation of Value Added Services (VAS), leading to unexpected deductions from mobile balances.
In its advisory, PTA urged users to remain vigilant and regularly check their mobile balances and active subscriptions to avoid unwanted charges.
Value Added Services typically include caller tunes (ring-back tones), daily SMS or internet bundles, missed call alerts, mobile games, horoscope updates, quiz services and other subscription-based infotainment content. The regulator clarified that no VAS can be activated without a consumer’s explicit consent.
According to PTA, activation requires confirmation through a One-Time Password (OTP) and/or dialing a specific USSD code. If a user has not shared an OTP or dialed any code, the service should not be active and may be considered unauthorized.
Consumers who observe unexplained deductions have been advised to immediately contact their respective telecom operators, register a formal complaint and obtain a reference number. Operators are required to resolve complaints within the prescribed timeframe.
If the issue remains unresolved, users may escalate the matter through PTA’s Complaint Management System (CMS) available on its official website or via the CMS mobile application.
The authority reiterated its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring transparency and fair practices across Pakistan’s telecom sector.
