The Aadhaar card is a unique identification card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The card has a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number linked to the holder's biometric data. It also contains information such as the holder's name, date of birth, gender, and address.
The Aadhaar card is used for various purposes, including authenticating the identity of Indian residents, checking bank accounts, and filing taxes. It is an important factor while taking an instant loan on Aadhaar card but lately, the security of the Aadhaar has come under scrutiny. Concerns are being raised about the potential for data breaches and misuse.
Keep reading if you don’t want to become a victim of Aadhaar card fraud.
8 Tips to Keep Your Aadhaar Numbers Safe from Criminals
These 8 safety tips to protect your Aadhaar details from misuse are based on the tweets of UIDAI, which they released in the public interest.
- 1.Don’t Share Aadhaar OTP (One-time Password)
Your Aadhaar OTP is used for logging in to your Aadhaar account. And according to the UIDAI, you should never share this password with anyone. Sharing your OTP could give someone access to your Aadhaar account and all of its personal information. This could lead to identity theft or other problems down the road. So, keep it to yourself only.
- 2.Download Masked Aadhaar
GOI launched Masked Aadhaar or VID to prevent Aadhaar fraud. It allows users to download their Aadhaar card with only a partial display of their 12-digit UID number. But how to download Masked Aadhaar? You can download Masked Aadhaar from the official website of UIDAI. The process is similar to downloading a regular e-Aadhaar card.
- 3.Don’t Download Aadhaar on a Public Computer
There is a greater risk of your personal information being compromised on public computers such as cybercafé computers. They are certainly not secure. Also, public computers are often shared by multiple people. It increases the likelihood of viruses and other malware on the system.
- 4.Delete Aadhaar File After Downloading
Deleting any files containing your personal information from public computers after you're done using them is crucial. This includes your Aadhaar file, which contains sensitive information like your biometrics and demographic data. Once you've deleted your Aadhaar file, log out of all your accounts and close all open browser windows.
- 5.Keep Checking Aadhaar Authentication Records
Checking the history regarding the authentication of your Aadhaar from the UIDAI website is essential. It can help prevent fraud. For example, if you see that someone has tried to authenticate your Aadhaar number but has been unsuccessful, you can take steps to protect yourself. Report to the authorities immediately if you see any suspicious activity.
- 6.Lock Your Aadhaar
Aadhaar holders can now lock their biometrics to prevent any possible misuse by anyone. You can do it by logging in to the UIDAI website with your Aadhaar number. You can unlock it later if you need to. This is an excellent move by the UIDAI to keep people's data safe and secure.
- 7.Update Your Mobile Number
If you've recently changed your mobile number, you'll need to update your Aadhaar details to ensure that you can continue to use it as a valid form of identification. If you have doubts about whether your updated mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar or not, you can go to the UIDAI website to check.
- 8.Always Verify Aadhaar & Scanner
If you are the one who is to accept an Aadhaar card as identification, verify that the Aadhaar number you received is correct. You can do this by checking the first four digits against the list of registered numbers on the UIDAI website. Also, if you are providing your fingerprint or iris scan, ensure that the machine used is certified by UIDAI.
Author Bio:
Shiv Nanda is a financial analyst who currently lives in Bangalore (refusing to acknowledge the name change) and works with MoneyTap, India's first app-based credit-line. Shiv is a true finance geek, and his friends love that. They always rely on him for advice on their investment choices, budgeting skills, and personal financial matters and when they want to get a loan. He has made it his life's mission to help and educate people on various financial topics, so email him your questions at shiv@freopay.com.
