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The telecom technology wizards have worked miracles - inventing, devising and designing a palm size wonder gadget encompassing needs, pursuits and activities of all segments of society in its entirety. These gadgets - cellular mobile phones have brought about a revolutionary change in the socio-economic life of people across the globe.
Every invention, may it be nuclear or electronic has always been exposed thoughts and designs of criminal minds who devise state-of-the art methods for stealing or hijacking it for their nefarious objectives - rendering the inventors nonplussed.
And now this device has been invaded by cyber thieves. Their main victims are the prepaid cellular mobile phone users. All of a sudden you get an SMS or a call on your mobile giving you a surprise of your life - a cast prize is waiting for you. You are only required to send your prepaid scratch card number to receive the cash award.
Thus victim, equipped with ignorance and innocence lands into the trap. His balance is siphoned out and he could only lament on his temptation and ignorance both. Another method of these despicable offenders is that if a subscriber replies to a particular message his balance is gone. These freaks have no limit to their temptations, which are insatiable. They not only steal the balance of your mobile set but also your peace of mind.
But there is always a saviour who deters such an anti-social activity and offer a remedy.Taking a serious notice of the plight of cellphone subscribers the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), taking the first step cautioned them against these hoax calls and SMSs. PTA has instructed the mobile operators to take immediate action against the swindlers on the complaint of a subscriber. PTA has also advised the mobile users to verify the prize announcement from the mobile company.
Finding it otherwise get a complaint registered with the concerned mobile company. The mobile companies have been directed to take action against the offender, which includes jamming of SIMS and handsets, without any delay. The Telecom Authority has also sounded a warning to the senders of unsolicited, obnoxious SMSs and phone calls that legal action will be taken against them. The PTA's decision about the legal action is commendable indeed. And that would be a cause celebre which should be covered by electronic and print media to strip off the culprits in public.
The authority has extended help to the subscribers by establishing a complaint centre in August last year. It works seven days a week day and night. The complaints are forwarded by the PTA centre to the respective mobile companies for evaluation to be followed by warning to the offenders as the first step. The second and the final step will be the closure of numbers and blocking of SIMS/cellphones.
The PTA, extending ready help, has asked the aggrieved subscribers to register direct complaint at their toll free No 080055055 or 051-9225329-31 ext 155 or email at [email protected].
PTA acting in time devised an anti-theft solution by mustering cooperation, coordination and collaboration of mobile operators, City Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), Federal and Provincial Police departments. The solution blocking of snatched/stolen handsets through International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) system renders the mobile set inoperative. Within about nine months the incidents of snatching and stealing of mobile sets were significantly reduced.
Every set owned its specific IMEI number, which if blocked rendered the gadget dead, a piece of scrap. The global mobile system (GSM) uses the IMEI number, identifies valid devices which helps stop the instrument to reach the network. The mobile companies with their equipment Identity Register (EIR) block the handset using IMEI number. The PTA has made it obligatory on the subscriber to provide IMEI number while making a complaint. It may be recalled that IMEI system yielded good results. Till June 2007 over 96000 stolen /snatched cellphones were rendered unusable all over the country, Karachi heading the list with 51,000.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008

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