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Aadhaar, India’s 12-digit unique identity number, is a cornerstone of accessing services — bank accounts, government schemes, mobile connections, and more. But with great power comes great vulnerability. Reports of Aadhaar data leaks and misuse have surged, with fraudsters exploiting stolen details to commit financial fraud, identity theft, and even unauthorized Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions. A single lapse in securing your Aadhaar can lead to devastating consequences, as seen in cases where victims lost lakhs overnight. This article equips you with five actionable steps to check for Aadhaar misuse and secure it, alongside insights into common fraud tactics and real-world examples to keep you vigilant.
Aadhaar’s ubiquity makes it a prime target. Linked to bank accounts, PAN cards, and mobile numbers, a compromised Aadhaar can unlock a treasure trove of personal and financial data. Here’s why fraudsters love it:
Biometric Cloning: Scammers use leaked fingerprint or iris data to bypass AePS authentication, withdrawing money from linked bank accounts.
Identity Theft: Stolen Aadhaar details are used to open fake bank accounts, apply for loans, or file fraudulent tax returns.
Phishing Scams: Fraudsters pose as UIDAI officials, tricking victims into sharing OTPs or Aadhaar numbers.
Data Breaches: Unsecured databases, like those exposed on third-party websites, leak Aadhaar numbers, names, and addresses, fueling black-market sales.
Real-Life Example: In Telangana, a 45-year-old shopkeeper lost ₹2.5 lakh when scammers cloned his Aadhaar biometrics and used AePS to empty his account via unauthorized ATM withdrawals. The fraud was detected only when he checked his bank statement — a delay that cost him dearly.
Your Aadhaar authentication history logs every instance where your Aadhaar was used for verification, such as bank transactions or SIM card activations. Unauthorized entries signal potential misuse.
Visit the official UIDAI website (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in).
Log in using your Aadhaar number and OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Navigate to the “Authentication History” section.
Select a date range (up to six months) and review the list of transactions.
Look for unfamiliar entries, such as authentications at unknown locations or for services you didn’t initiate.
Lock Your Biometrics: Immediately lock your Aadhaar biometrics on the UIDAI portal to prevent further misuse (more on this in Step 2).
Report to UIDAI: Call the UIDAI helpline (1947) or file a complaint on the UIDAI website.
Alert Your Bank: If unauthorized transactions are linked to your bank account, inform your bank and freeze the account if needed.
Tip: Check your authentication history every 2–3 months, especially if you’ve shared your Aadhaar details recently.
Biometric cloning is a growing menace, with scammers exploiting leaked fingerprint or iris data for AePS fraud. Locking your biometrics ensures no one can use them without your consent.
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and log in.
Select “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” under the “Security” tab.
Choose “Lock” and confirm with the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
To unlock for legitimate use (e.g., bank KYC), repeat the process and select “Unlock.”
Unlock biometrics only when necessary, such as for mandatory KYC or government services, and relock immediately after. This minimizes exposure.
Relatable Story: Priya, a schoolteacher from Ahmedabad, locked her biometrics after hearing about AePS frauds in her neighborhood. Months later, a scammer tried to withdraw money using her cloned fingerprints but failed because her biometrics were locked. Her vigilance saved her savings!
Your registered mobile number receives OTPs for Aadhaar authentications. If a fraudster updates it to their number, they can bypass your control.
Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or check online at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
Log in and view the “Profile” section to confirm your registered mobile number.
If it is outdated or incorrect, update it at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra with valid ID proof.
Never Share OTPs: Fraudsters may call, posing as UIDAI or bank officials, to trick you into sharing OTPs.
Enable Alerts: Link your bank account to your mobile number for instant transaction alerts, helping you spot unauthorized activity.
Example: In a phishing scam, a Delhi retiree was duped into sharing an OTP by a caller claiming to “update” his Aadhaar. The scammer changed the registered mobile number and used it to authenticate a ₹3 lakh loan in his name. Regular mobile number checks could have prevented this.
A Virtual ID is a 16-digit temporary number that can be used instead of your Aadhaar number for authentications. It protects your actual Aadhaar number from exposure.
Log in to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
Go to the “Virtual ID (VID) Generator” section.
Generate a new VID, which will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Use the VID for services like bank KYC or mobile verification.
Limits Exposure: Even if a VID is leaked, it is temporary and can’t be linked to your Aadhaar permanently.
Easy to Regenerate: You can generate a new VID anytime, rendering old ones unusable.
Tip: Always ask service providers (e.g., banks, telecom operators) if they accept VIDs. Most UIDAI-compliant entities do.
Fake Calls/SMS: Scammers impersonate UIDAI or bank officials, asking for Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, or biometrics.
Bogus Websites: Fraudulent sites mimic the UIDAI portal to steal login details.
Unverified Apps: Malicious apps request Aadhaar details under the guise of offering services.
Physical Theft: Stolen Aadhaar cards or photocopies are misused if not masked.
Mask Your Aadhaar: Share only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number when providing photocopies, and write the purpose (e.g., “For bank KYC only”) on the copy.
Verify URLs: Access UIDAI services only through myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or resident.uidai.gov.in. Avoid links from emails or SMS.
Report Suspicious Activity: Dial 1947 or use the UIDAI complaint portal to report fraud attempts.
Educate Family: Teach elderly family members to recognize phishing calls and avoid sharing sensitive details.
Real-Life Example: In Mumbai, a college student downloaded a fake “Aadhaar update” app that stole his Aadhaar number and linked mobile number. The scammers used the data to open a fraudulent bank account. Sticking to official UIDAI channels could have prevented this.
Monitor Bank Statements: Regularly check your bank account for unauthorized transactions, especially if linked to AePS.
Use mAadhaar App: Download the official mAadhaar app from Google Play or App Store for secure access to Aadhaar services.
Report Data Leaks: If you suspect your Aadhaar data is part of a breach, contact UIDAI and your bank immediately.
Avoid Over-Sharing: Share Aadhaar details only with trusted, UIDAI-authorized entities.
Aadhaar’s integration with Digital India initiatives has transformed access to services, but it is also made data security non-negotiable. Cybersecurity firm CloudSek reported a massive breach exposing Aadhaar details of 75 crore Indians, including names, addresses, and phone numbers, sold on the dark web. Such large-scale data breaches underscore the risks of unsecured databases. While UIDAI has robust mechanisms like biometric locking and VIDs, user awareness is key to staying safe. By following the five steps outlined — checking authentication history, locking biometrics, verifying mobile numbers, using VIDs, and staying vigilant — you can fortify your Aadhaar against fraud.
Your Aadhaar is more than a number — it is your digital identity. A single leak can spiral into financial ruin or identity theft, but with proactive steps, you can stay ahead of fraudsters. Start by checking your Aadhaar authentication history, locking your biometrics, and using a Virtual ID for transactions. Stay alert to phishing scams and educate those around you. In a world where data is the new currency, securing your Aadhaar is not just a choice — it is a necessity. Act now, and keep your identity safe!
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Rajeev Kumar is the primary author of How2Lab. He is a B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur with several years of experience in IT education and Software development. He has taught a wide spectrum of people including fresh young talents, students of premier engineering colleges & management institutes, and IT professionals.
Rajeev has founded Computer Solutions & Web Services Worldwide. He has hands-on experience of building variety of websites and business applications, that include - SaaS based erp & e-commerce systems, and cloud deployed operations management software for health-care, manufacturing and other industries.