Using your PAN (Permanent Account Number) without permission — especially to take loans, credit cards, or other credit facilities — is a form of financial identity theft. It can affect your credit score, lead to collection calls, and even cause legal troubles if left unchecked.

🧠 1. First Step: Check Your Credit Report

Any legitimate loan taken in your name will be reported by lenders to the credit bureaus using your PAN. This makes the credit report the best way to detect misuse.

📋 How to Check

1. Visit the official websites of major credit bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, or CRIF High Mark.

2. Enter your PAN, date of birth, email and mobile number and authenticate (often via OTP).

3. view your credit report.

👉 The report shows:

· Active loans and credit cards linked to your PAN.

· “Credit enquiries” from lenders — attempts to check your credit when someone applies for a loan.

· Account details, outstanding balances and payment history.

🚩 2. Look for These red Flags in Your Report

· Loans you never took listed under “Accounts” or “Credit Facilities.”

· Credit enquiries from banks/apps you never applied through — this often comes before an actual loan.

· Sudden drop in credit score without explanation.

If any of these appear, your PAN may have been misused.

🧾 3. What to Do If You Spot a Fake Loan

If you find an unfamiliar loan:

📌 a) Contact the Lender Immediately

· Write to the lender’s official grievance channel.

· State that the loan is fraudulent and not taken by you.

· Ask them to mark it as “disputed due to identity theft”.

· Request copies of the KYC documents they used to approve the loan.

📌 b) File a Cybercrime Complaint

· Go to your local police station or the Cybercrime reporting portal (e.g., https://cybercrime.gov.in).

· File a detailed complaint and keep the FIR/complaint number — it will help you with lenders and bureaus.

📌 c) Raise a Dispute With the Credit Bureau

· Each bureau (CIBIL/Experian/Equifax/CRIF) has a dispute resolution mechanism online.

· Upload documents showing that the loan does not belong to you and attach the bank/lender response and police report.

· Ask the bureau to mark the account under dispute and tag it as fraud while investigation continues.

📌 d) Inform Your Bank

Tell your bank that your identity has been compromised. Ask them to flag your account for extra verification on any future credit requests.

📌 4. Where Else to Report

✔ RBI Complaint Portal — If a bank or NBFC doesn’t resolve your issue:

· File a complaint at cms.rbi.org.in with all documents and the credit report.

✔ Cybercrime Portal — For identity theft and fraud:

· File online at cybercrime.gov.in or visit the local cybercrime police station.

🛡 5. Protect Your PAN from Misuse in the Future

· Don’t share your PAN number or image casually on sites or in messages.

· Use masked PAN (only hidden parts visible) when sharing documents if possible.

· Check your credit report regularly — ideally every 3–6 months.

· Avoid storing sensitive documents as plain images in cloud or whatsapp chats.

🧠 Key Takeaways

✔ A fraudulent loan taken in your name will almost always show up on your credit report.
✔ Checking your report regularly helps catch PAN misuse early.
✔ If you find a fake loan, report it to the lender, credit bureau, police, and RBI immediately.
✔ Strong document hygiene and cautious sharing reduce the risk of identity theft.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.