The
Aadhaar card is one of the most important identity documents for indian citizens. It is linked to
bank accounts, mobile numbers, and government services, making it a prime target for fraudsters. The
Unique Identification Authority of india (UIDAI) advises citizens to take certain precautions to
protect their Aadhaar details.
1. Do Not Share Your Aadhaar OTP or OTP-Based e-KYC·
Fraudsters may ask for OTP sent to your registered mobile number under the guise of verification.· Never share the
one-time password (OTP) with anyone, even if they claim to be from a government agency.
2. Avoid Giving Aadhaar Details Over phone or Email· uidai or banks
will never ask for your Aadhaar number over calls or emails.· Be cautious of
unknown calls, SMS, or emails requesting Aadhaar information.
3. Keep Your Aadhaar Card Safe· Avoid
carrying the physical card unnecessarily.· Store it in a
safe place and use
digital Aadhaar (mAadhaar app) for online verification.
4. Regularly Check Your Aadhaar Linked Services· Monitor
bank accounts, mobile number links, and government service usage.· Any
unauthorized activity could indicate Aadhaar misuse.
5. Lock or Mask Your Aadhaar When Not Needed· uidai allows you to
lock your Aadhaar number, making it unusable for authentication until you unlock it.· You can also use
masked Aadhaar, which hides the first 8 digits, for safer online use.
Additional Safety Tips· Only use
official uidai portals or apps for Aadhaar updates and services.· Update your
mobile number linked with Aadhaar to receive OTP securely.· Be cautious of
third-party websites claiming Aadhaar benefits.
Conclusion:Aadhaar fraud can cause serious financial and identity-related problems. By following these
five precautions—never sharing OTP, avoiding unsolicited calls, keeping your card safe, monitoring linked services, and using lock/mask features—you can protect your Aadhaar and reduce the risk of fraud.
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