Protect Yourself: Signs Your Aadhaar Card May Be Misused and How to Safeguard It

In an increasingly digital world, the security of personal information has become paramount. The Aadhaar card plays a vital role for residents of India, acting as a unique identifier for both identity and address verification. The 12-digit number associated with it allows individuals to access important services, including government schemes, banking, and telecommunications. Given that it contains sensitive personal and biometric data, it is crucial to handle the Aadhaar card with caution. If it is lost or misused, it can lead to significant risks, particularly if linked to financial accounts and government benefits. Therefore, safeguarding your Aadhaar information and remaining alert to any potential misuse is essential.

Ways to Verify Aadhaar Misuse Online:

1. Visit the official myAadhaar website.

2. Log in by entering your Aadhaar number and the captcha code, then click on ‘Login With OTP’ to continue.

3. Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and click ‘Login’ to access your Aadhaar account.

4. To view your authentication history, select ‘Authentication History’ from the menu and choose a date range to see the details of your Aadhaar usage.

5. If you detect any unauthorized use, report it immediately on the UIDAI website.

Here’s how to lock your Aadhaar card biometrics online:

1. Go to the official myAadhaar website.

2. Click on ‘Lock/Unlock Aadhaar’ from the menu. Make sure to read the guidelines carefully before moving forward.

3. Enter your Virtual ID (VID), full name, Pincode, and the captcha code. Then click ‘Send OTP’ to get a one-time password sent to your registered mobile number.

4. Enter the OTP you received on your registered mobile number.

5. Click ‘Submit’ to successfully lock your Aadhaar card biometrics.

If you think your Aadhaar card is being misused, here’s what you should do right away:

1. Call the helpline: Dial 1947, which is the official Aadhaar helpline number.

2. Email UIDAI: Send an email explaining the issue to [email protected].

3. File a complaint online: Go to the UIDAI website and use the grievance redressal portal to report the misuse.