Aadhaar card fraud involves illegal activities related to the misuse of Aadhaar, which is a unique identification number issued to Indian residents by the government. Here are some common types of Aadhaar card fraud:
- Identity Theft: Someone uses another person's Aadhaar details to access services, open bank accounts, or commit other fraudulent activities.
- Phishing: Fraudsters create fake websites or send emails/SMS to trick people into revealing their Aadhaar number and personal details.
- Data Breach: Unauthorized access to the Aadhaar database can lead to large-scale theft of personal information.
- Forgery: Creating fake Aadhaar cards to deceive authorities or businesses.
- Unauthorized Use: Using someone else's Aadhaar details for benefits or services without their consent.
![Raju & Forty Thieves](https://udaipurtimes.com/static/c1e/client/74416/uploaded/443a57296666f39ef356deb891030d70.jpg)
![raju and forty thieves](https://udaipurtimes.com/static/c1e/client/74416/uploaded/30975bc003a1986acb77f700449f01d2.jpg)
![Raju and Forty Thieves](https://udaipurtimes.com/static/c1e/client/74416/uploaded/5eee46b1805189332f6de3e841df8136.jpg)
![Raju and Forty Thieves](https://udaipurtimes.com/static/c1e/client/74416/uploaded/f0d5a4a2d2726cf555772d948b2ee258.jpg)
Source: Raju & The Forty Thieves
Safeguarding your Aadhaar card from cyber fraud is crucial to protect your personal information. Here are some key steps you can take:
- Report the incident to the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station and National Cyber Crime Portal
- Do not share your Aadhaar number: Avoid sharing your Aadhaar number publicly or with untrusted individuals.
- Mask your Aadhaar number: When sharing a copy of your Aadhaar card, use a masked version, which hides the first eight digits.
- Official sites only: Ensure you use only the official UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) website or trusted apps for any Aadhaar-related services.
- Check for HTTPS: Verify that the website has "https" in the URL, indicating a secure connection.
- Check Aadhaar authentication history: Visit the UIDAI website to check your Aadhaar authentication history and ensure no unauthorized usage.
- Linking to services: Be cautious about linking your Aadhaar to multiple services. Link it only where mandatory.
- Generate a VID: A Virtual ID is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped with your Aadhaar number. It can be used instead of your Aadhaar number to access services.
- Lock your Aadhaar number: You can temporarily lock your Aadhaar number when not in use. This prevents others from authenticating using your Aadhaar.
- Unlock when needed: Unlock your Aadhaar only when you need to use it for authentication.
- Do not respond to unsolicited requests: Be wary of emails, messages, or calls asking for your Aadhaar details. Verify the authenticity of the request before providing any information.
- Report phishing: If you receive a suspicious request, report it to the relevant authorities.
- Updates from UIDAI: Keep yourself updated with the latest guidelines and security features provided by UIDAI.
- Educate yourself: Learn about common cyber fraud tactics and how to avoid them.
- Password protection: Use strong passwords for any accounts linked with your Aadhaar.
- Two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for an added layer of security.