How Strangers Misuse Your PAN Card and Aadhaar Card? Follow These 10 Tips To Avoid Frauds

 A PAN Card and Aadhaar Card are an individual’s primary and mandatory identity proofs in India. Everyone has their unique identification code, which cannot be copied and is protected by respective authorities. But, did you know, your PAN Card and Aadhaar Card can still be misused by fraudsters?

Identity theft is a matter of concern as it can lead to significant frauds. Most of us blindly share information on various platforms without knowing its repercussions. There have been reported cases where strangers have created fake PAN Cards and Aadhaar Cards to pay taxes, purchase properties, obtain loans, convert black money into white, etc.


How do strangers misuse your details to create duplicate/fake PAN Cards?

  • While booking tatkal train tickets: You mention your PAN number while booking online tickets from the IRCTC website. And while booking offline tickets, you submit a photocopy of your PAN Card along with the reservation form. Through both of these ways, fake PAN Cards can be created and misused for fraudulent purposes.


  • Through fake PAN Card websitesFake PAN Card websites offer application/correction in your PAN Card within minutes. But once you submit all the details and the charges, they never revert. They cheat you with your money, and later your details can be misused to create fake PAN Cards.


  • While applying for a credit card: Bank representatives ask for a Pan Card photocopy while applying for a new credit card. Fraudsters misuse this photocopy by sending them to other states to create fake PAN Cards.


How do strangers misuse your details to create duplicate/fake Aadhaar Cards?


  • Application/Correction through fake Aadhaar Card websites: The unauthorised websites illegally collect Aadhaar numbers and other personal details from people needing cheap Aadhaar application or correction services. These details were later used for fraudulent purposes.


  • Fake Aadhaar Card download: Some people apply for fake Aadhaar Cards to avail bank loans and tax benefits. People or websites generating fake Aadhaar Cards are fraudsters and involved in criminal activities.

However, there are several other ways where your PAN Card and Aadhaar Card can be misused. Take into consideration these 10 tips to avoid any misuse of your PAN Card or Aadhaar Card.

  1. Share your PAN and Aadhaar details only with authorised people and websites.
  2. Link your PAN and Aadhaar with a registered mobile number and email to get notifications of any activities undertaken.
  3. Never let anyone know the OTP you received on your registered mobile number for PAN and Aadhaar authentication.
  4. Visit form 26AS twice a year to have transparency about any fraudulent activities with your PAN Card.
  5. Note that your full PAN or Aadhaar number is not displayed publicly. In such a case, report immediately to concerned authorities.
  6. Beware of fake PAN Card and Aadhaar Card generation websites. Online PAN Card Application/Correction should be made from NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure’s website only. However, note that you cannot apply for an Aadhaar Card online. Learn more about it here.
  7. In case of any suspicious activity, lock your Aadhaar biometrics from the UIDAI website. It increases the user’s privacy and confidentiality.
  8. Never download a fake PAN Card or Aadhaar Card. It is illegal and later may lead to other fraudulent activities.
  9. If possible, share a photocopy of other identity proofs like a Driving license or Voter ID Card instead of a PAN Card or Aadhaar Card for safety purposes.
  10.  Don’t disclose your PAN or Aadhaar number publicly on social media handles or other online platforms.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

7 COMMON BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE

What is the procedure for VAT registration in UAE?

Best Tax Consultants in Dubai Can Make ITR Filing Process Easy? - Alankit