• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

SIM card fraud cases have been increasing consistently in India, with criminals misusing or stealing Aadhaar information to obtain mobile connections without the knowledge of the victim. To resolve this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has enhanced its Sanchar Saathi portal with a new feature under the TAFCOP system, where users can track all SIM cards linked to their Aadhaar.

Aadhaar Link and SIM Limits

As Aadhaar verification is compulsory for mobile subscriptions, one has the permission to activate as many as nine SIMs anywhere in the country. In states like Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and the Northeast, the number is six. But since several users are left with additional, unauthorised SIMs connected to their Aadhaar by fraudsters, they become vulnerable to misuse in the future for financial fraud or identity theft.

ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Pro Max Alleged Video Leak Shows A Radical Design Change! This Is What Apple's Latest Device Could Bring

How to Check SIMs Linked to Your Aadhaar

  • Go to the official Sanchar Saathi website at sancharsaathi.gov.in.
  • Choose Citizen Centric Services and click on Know Your Mobile Connections.
  • Provide your mobile number and captcha code.
  • Authenticate by using the OTP received on your number.
  • The website will show all the mobile numbers associated with your Aadhaar.

The whole process takes only a few minutes and provides a clear idea of whether your identity has been misused by someone or not.

What to Do if You Find Suspicious Numbers

If you notice SIMs of others, the portal also enables you to report them. You can label such numbers as "Not My Number" if they are fraud or "Not Required" if the SIM is inactive. After reporting, the telecom provider will verify and deactivate the suspicious numbers.

Further, if ten or more SIMs are discovered associated with your Aadhaar, the system will notify you automatically through SMS to check and trim them.

ALSO READ: Vodafone Idea 5G Plans: Kolkata Joins The Race As Vi Takes On Jio And Airtel, Starting At ₹299

Why This Matters

By providing visibility and prompt action, the DoT aims to prevent SIM-based fraud before it becomes a full-blown cybercrime. For users, it's a simple method to safeguard their identity and verify that their Aadhaar-linked information isn't being used maliciously.