How to Check and Report Misuse of an Aadhaar Card?

Aadhaar card misuse refers to the unauthorised use of an individual’s Aadhaar details for fraud, identity theft, or illegal transactions. With Aadhaar linked to banking, mobile numbers, and government services, checking and reporting misuse of Aadhaar card details is essential to prevent financial loss and protect personal identity.

Key Highlights

• Authentication Check: View Aadhaar authentication history on the myAadhaar portal to detect suspicious activity.
• Biometric Security: Lock Aadhaar biometrics to prevent unauthorised fingerprint, iris, or face authentication.
• Privacy Protection: Use a Masked Aadhaar instead of sharing your full Aadhaar number whenever possible.
• Misuse Reporting: Report Aadhaar fraud through the UIDAI website, email, or helpline 1947.
• Identity Safety: Regularly review authentication records and keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile number active for OTP alerts.

What is Aadhaar Card Fraud and its Potential Consequences?

Aadhaar card fraud involves unauthorized access or manipulation of India's unique identification system. Consequences include financial losses, identity theft, and misuse of personal data for fraudulent activities. 

Victims may face difficulties in accessing services, financial transactions, or even legal implications. To mitigate risks, individuals should safeguard their Aadhaar details, report any suspicious activities promptly, and stay informed about security measures implemented by authorities. 

The government continually works to enhance security protocols to protect citizens from potential misuse of Aadhaar cards.

Examples of Aadhaar Card Fraud Cases

Below are some of the examples of misuse of the Aadhaar card:

1. Data Leakage from Unsecured Systems

When Aadhaar details submitted to private or government institutions are stored on unsecured servers or databases, hackers can gain unauthorised access. Stolen Aadhaar data can then be used to impersonate individuals, open fake accounts, or carry out illegal activities in their name.

2. Biometric Misuse through Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AePS)

There have been multiple cases where criminals misused leaked Aadhaar biometric data to withdraw money using the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS). By replicating fingerprints or exploiting compromised biometric devices, fraudsters were able to debit funds directly from victims’ bank accounts.

3. Fraudulent Aadhaar Linking Scams

Scammers often contact individuals posing as officials and convince them to link their Aadhaar card with services such as mobile numbers or bank accounts. During this process, personal information is extracted and later misused for financial fraud or identity theft.

4. Public Exposure of Aadhaar Details (TRAI Incident)

In 2018, the then chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) publicly shared his Aadhaar number to highlight security claims. Shortly after, individuals were able to trace personal details online and even deposit money into his bank account, demonstrating how exposed Aadhaar data can be misused.

5. Aadhaar Data Displayed on Government Websites

In 2017, the government admitted that several central and state government websites were publicly displaying Aadhaar numbers and personal details of beneficiaries. Such exposure increases the risk of privacy violations, identity theft, and misuse of Aadhaar card information.

How to Check Misuse of Aadhaar Card?

Here are the steps to check whether your Aadhaar card has been misused or not:

Step 1: Visit the myAadhaar portal. 

Step 2: Click on login on the right-hand side.

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number, and captcha code, and click ‘Login With OTP’.

Step 4: Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered phone number and click ‘Login’.

Step 5: Click on ‘Authentication History’.

Step 6: Select ‘All’ under the ‘Select Modality’ option. Select the start date and the end dates for which you want to check your authentication history and click ‘Fetch Authentication History’.

Now you can see the history of authentications done with your Aadhaar details. You can file a complaint on the official UIDAI website if you find any suspicious activities. 

Alternatively, you can also view your Aadhaar authentication history using the official Aadhaar app after completing Face Authentication and signing in to your profile.

Note: UIDAI displays only the last 6 months of Aadhaar authentication history, and each search returns a maximum of 50 authentication records.

How to Lock Your Aadhaar Card Biometrics Online?

Aadhaar Biometric Lock disables authentication using your fingerprints, iris, and face authentication while continuing to allow OTP-based authentication. This helps prevent unauthorised misuse of Aadhaar card biometrics and can be unlocked temporarily whenever biometric authentication is required.

Step 1: Visit the myAadhaar portal and log in using your Aadhaar number and OTP.

Step 2: Navigate to Lock/Unlock Biometrics.

Step 3: Read the instructions and click Next.

Step 4: Review the consent declaration, select the checkbox to confirm, and click Enable to lock your Aadhaar biometrics.

You'll receive a confirmation message once biometric locking is successfully activated.

Alternatively, you can also lock or unlock your Aadhaar biometrics using the official Aadhaar app after signing in with Face Authentication.

How to Lock Your Aadhaar Number (UID Lock)?

UIDAI also allows you to lock your Aadhaar number (UID). Unlike biometric locking, UID Lock disables authentication using your Aadhaar number and requires a Virtual ID (VID) for authentication until it is unlocked.

Step 1: Visit the myAadhaar portal.

Step 2: Click Lock/Unlock Aadhaar.

Step 3: Enter your Virtual ID (VID), name, PIN code and captcha.

Step 4: Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 5: Submit the request to lock your Aadhaar number.

How to Report Misuse of Aadhaar Card?

You can call the number 1947, email - help@uidai.gov.in, or lodge a complaint on the UIDAI website to report the fraudulent activities of your Aadhaar card.

How to Prevent Misuse of Aadhaar Card Photocopy?

One way to prevent the misuse of your Aadhaar card photocopy is to attest your signature and provide the purpose for which it is being provided, along with the date and time.

Whenever possible, avoid sharing physical Aadhaar photocopies. You can instead use a Masked Aadhaar or verify your identity digitally through the official Aadhaar app, which allows secure QR code-based verification and selective sharing of personal information. 

Here are the steps to download a masked Aadhaar card:

Step 1: Visit the official myAadhaar portal and log in with your credentials.

Step 2: Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’.

Step 3: Click on ‘Do you want a masked Aadhaar?’ and click on ‘Download’.

It is recommended that you do not use a public computer, such as the one in an internet cafe, to download your Aadhaar card. If you use a public computer, ensure your downloaded Aadhaar card is deleted from that computer.

Use the Aadhaar App for Secure Digital Verification

The official Aadhaar app allows you to verify your identity digitally without sharing physical photocopies of your Aadhaar card. Instead of submitting a printed copy, you can generate a secure QR code that can be scanned for verification.

The app also supports selective data sharing, allowing you to share only the information required for verification. This helps reduce the risk of identity theft and misuse of Aadhaar details while protecting your personal information.

Final Word

Staying vigilant against Aadhaar card misuse is essential to protect your identity and finances. Regularly review your authentication history, lock your biometrics when they are not required, use a Masked Aadhaar or the official Aadhaar app for secure identity verification, and report any misuse of Aadhaar card details to UIDAI immediately to minimise the risk of fraud.

Related Aadhaar Articles:
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2. How to Lock Aadhaar Biometric Online?
3. PAN Aadhaar Link 
4. Aadhaar Card Pan Card Link Status
5. How to Check Aadhaar Card Link with Bank Account?
6. Aadhaar Card Customer Care Number
7. How To Scan Aadhaar Card Using QR Code?
8. Check Aadhaar Card Pan Card Link Status