Pakistan Faces ATM Cyber Attack? All you need to know about Banking System Breach

KARACHI – Reports of massive cyberattack on Pakistan’s largest payment gateways 1LINK sparked concerns among thousands of consumers as viral hoax online claimed that ATMs will remain closed for days.

ATM Cyber Attack in Pakistan

As the message sparked frenzy among users, 1LINK cleared air, assuring masses that there are no cyber threats impacting ATM or online banking in Pakistan. The official statement comes in the wake of misleading information circulating on social media and WhatsApp, which suggested that ATMs and online banking services should be avoided.

In its announcement, 1LINK turned down claims and advised people to disregard the rumors, and also suggested that individuals contact their banks directly for accurate information.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is actively collaborating with banks and 1LINK to uphold security of the nation’s financial and digital payment systems, ensuring adherence to rigorous IT and security standards.

1LINK emphasized that no actual cyber threats have been detected and that the financial sector is committed to staying vigilant against potential risks. The company urged the public to ignore the misinformation and seek guidance from their banks.

For safety, the press release also recommended not sharing payment card details or personal information, such as card numbers, PINs, OTPs, user IDs, and passwords. Additionally, it advised being cautious while using ATMs or online banking and reporting any suspicious behavior promptly.

The circulating message falsely claimed that ATMs across Pakistan would be closed for 2-3 days due to a ransomware attack.