Is your Aadhaar in good health or is being misused by others, know how to check status
You can check if your Aadhaar is being misused by scammers and take some appropriate measures to secure it if you suspect misuse.
As the Indian Government is prioritising digitization. All things are now being done online. However, it also has its risks as there are chances of your important documents like Aadhar card being misused by malicious people for harmful actions.
Importance of Aadhaar card
The Aadhaar card has become a very important and crucial identification document for Indian citizens as the 12-digit Aadhaar number is used for various purposes including opening a new bank account, travelling, securing admission, to access government services and financial institutions and much more. With its increasing importance, scammers are targeting Aadhaar to exploit it for financial fraud or illegal activities. Therefore, it is important to keep your Aadhaar safe.
How to check if your Aadhar card is safe or being misused?
If you suspect that your Aadhar card is being misused by others then your can verify activities linked to their Aadhaar . The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) lets you check the Aadhaar history with an feature called the Authentication History”. You can visit the official myAadhaar portal and check the activities linked to your Aadhaar number with this feature.
How to check Aadhaar card history and misuse
- Visit the official myAadhaar website.
- Click on “Login With OTP” after entering your Aadhaar number and the captcha code displayed.
- Now, enter the one-time password sent to your registered mobile number.
- It will open your account.
- Access your authentication history.
- Select the “Authentication History” option.
- Select a time period to review Aadhaar usage.
- Check the listed transactions.
- If you notice any unfamiliar or suspicious activity, report it immediately.
How to keep Aadhaar Card safe and report Aadhaar card misuse
Report unauthorised activity
- If you identify any unauthorised activity linked to your Aadhaar number:
- Call UIDAI’s toll-free helpline at 1947.
- Email your concerns to help@uidai.gov.in.
- Lock Aadhaar biometrics.
How to lock your Aadhaar biometrics
UIDAI allows users to prevent Aadhaar misuse by locking their biometrics. Withthis feature, you can stay assured that even if someone gains access to your Aadhaar number, they cannot use your biometric information without your consent.
- Visit the UIDAI website.
- Go to the “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” section.
- Enter the necessary details such as your Virtual ID (VID), name, PIN code, and the captcha code displayed.
- Then click on the “Send OTP”option to authenticate.
- Enter the code sent to your registered mobile number to proceed.
- Secure your biometrics by complete the process to lock your Aadhaar biometric.
You should check your Aadhaar activity in regular intervals to make sure it is safe and is not being miused. UIDAI also urges Aadhaar holders to keep their details updated, including phone number, address, and even biometric details such as fingerprints. This is particularly important if you haven’t updated them in the past 10 years, have experienced an accident that affected your biometrics, or if the Aadhaar holder is a child who has turned 15.
