HEC Warns Public Against Fake Attestation Agents
The Higher Education Commission has warned the public against HEC fake attestation agents who pose as authorised helpers and offer to get educational documents attested for a fee. The commission said such offers can be part of fraudulent schemes, and it urged citizens to deal only with its official channels.
ProPakistani reported the advisory, which was issued on November 3. The commission said certain individuals were presenting themselves as authorised agents and offering applicants help with the attestation of academic certificates and other educational documents.
The warning is direct. Applicants should not hand over personal information, academic records or original documents to unauthorised persons. Anyone who claims special access to the commission, or who asks for documents and extra payments outside the official process, should be treated with suspicion.
HEC fake attestation agents: how to stay safe
The commission stressed that the whole attestation process is online and paperless. Applicants can submit requests from home through the official website, hec.gov.pk, and follow the instructions published there. An online helpdesk is also available for queries.
The safe route has four steps. First, apply through the official HEC portal only, and do not use an agent’s link or form. Second, keep original documents and personal details in your own hands. Third, check every message that claims to come from the commission against the official website before acting on it. Fourth, use the official helplines for guidance: 051-111-119-432 or 0334-1119432.
Graduates who are applying for jobs or study abroad are the most likely targets, because attestation often sits on a deadline. Fraudsters exploit that pressure. A genuine process does not need a middleman, and no agent can speed up verification that depends on the issuing university and the commission’s own checks.
Why this warning matters now
This is not the first such warning from the commission. The HEC has cautioned applicants before about people who falsely claim to provide attestation services, and about fake social media pages that promote unauthorised verification. The repeat warnings point to a persistent scam, not a one-off incident.
The risk goes beyond a lost fee. Personal information and academic records handed to fraudsters can be misused for identity fraud or for fake documents that later cause trouble with employers, universities and immigration authorities. An applicant who discovers a problem at that stage faces delays that no agent can undo.
Feature Pakistan has covered attestation problems before, including issues with the foreign ministry’s online attestation service. Readers who need background on how the commission treats qualifications can also read its ruling that associate degrees earned through annual or private exams are not recognised.
Students planning study abroad should also note the new Chevening scholarships announced with Allied Bank, which follow the official application route rather than any agent channel.
What applicants should do
Applicants who have already dealt with a suspicious agent should stop sharing documents at once and contact the commission through its official helpline. They should keep copies of every message, receipt and phone number involved, since that record helps any complaint.
The commission’s message is simple. Attestation is a paperless online process, it is done through the official portal, and no authorised agent stands between an applicant and the commission.
Frequently asked questions
What has the HEC warned about?
The commission warned against fake agents who pose as authorised helpers and offer attestation of educational documents.
Is HEC attestation done through agents?
No. The commission says its attestation process is fully online and paperless, and applicants should apply themselves through the official portal.
What should applicants never share with unauthorised persons?
Applicants should not share personal information, academic records or original educational documents with unauthorised persons.
Where can applicants apply for attestation?
Applicants can apply through the official website, hec.gov.pk, and use the online helpdesk for queries.
What are the HEC helpline numbers?
The helplines are 051-111-119-432 and 0334-1119432.
