Aadhaar Card has become an essential identity document for several people within the country of India as it serves as a residential proof and also allows such people to access services available in the government as well as outside the private sector. Although it has transformed the way identity is managed, fears regarding its abuse have started to become a concern. Such instances as fraudulent activities involving Aadhaar cards and purportedly allowing access to personal information have raised eyebrows. Fortunately, these issues are dealt with using UIDAI, and resolved in the manner appropriate.
In this blog, we will discuss the procedure of lodging a complaint regarding misuse of your Aadhaar card, measures you can adopt to prevent misuse of your Aadhaar details, and why it is important to lodge a complaint regarding misuse of Aadhaar.
What Constitutes Aadhaar Card Misuse?
Before people start the rest of the complaint process, the people have to be aware of the different angles in which an Aadhaar card can be misused:
- Unconsented Transactions: Transactions made through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts or payment wallets without the wish and approval of the owner.
- Aadhaar Work Abuse: Using someone’s Aadhaar information to do unlawful transactions or to steal that person’s identity.
- Consenseless Help: Bonnie uses her aunt Dee’s Aadhaar to pay her for medication, even though she’s not been given permission to do so. In the case that Aunt Dee’s Aadhaar pays considerably less for necessary medication, it will be providing the medication, which is subsidized or even free.
- Aadhaar Breach: Getting access to personal information registered on Aadhaar via an Aadhaar card in an illegal manner.
Such activities not only result in the loss of assets but also breach the individual’s privacy and confidentiality.
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Steps to File an Aadhaar Card Misuse Complaint Online
UIDAI has made the procedure for making Aadhaar complaints regarding its misuse by providing an online platform. Here’s a guide outlining the steps:
Step 1: Please visit the Aadhaar Official Website
Visit the UIDAI site by clicking this link (www.uidai.gov.in) and go to the section for the ‘Grievance Redressal Mechanism’ link.
Step 2: Log in to the complaint account.
Select the “File a complaint” button, which redirects you to the Complaint Management System of Aadhaar.
Step 3: Complete all the mandatory fields.
Indicate the Aadhaar number you have or the last Enrolment ID, which appears on the Acknowledgement slip issued for any enrollment or revisions of Aadhaar details.
Step 4: Describe the Issue
In the details of the complaint form, indicate the classification you wish to report (for example: such as misuse of the Aadhaar number provided, usage of the Aadhaar number by any unauthorized persons, and so on) and detail what the issue is. When necessary, include additional documents.
Step 5: Register the Complaint.
Verify the information that you have inserted, and on confirmation, forward your complaint. The system will give a complaint ID that can be used to trace the complaint.
Step 6: Follow the development of your complaint.
The complaint ID will provide you with an update on the development of your case on the UIDAI portal. Use the complaint ID that has been assigned to you. Otherwise, you can contact them via their help desk number.
Additional Avenues for Reporting Aadhaar Card Misuse
Through the UIDAI portal, there are other ways of reporting Aadhar Card fraud and misuse.
- Toll-Free Helpline: The easiest way to get information regarding the authenticity of your Aadhaar card is by calling the helpline number provided by UIDAI i.e. 1947.
- Email Support: Email the concerned authority about Aadhar card misuse.
- Police Complaint: In severe cases where financial crime or fraud is involved, it’s best to file an FIR at the nearby police station.
Precautions to Prevent Aadhaar Card Misuse
It is said that time should be allowed to act as a healer but it is also said that prevention is better than cure, the latter holds true here. Here are ways to safeguard your Aadhaar Card against misuse:
- Do Not Publicly Disclose Aadhaar Information: If there is no justification for doing so, do not provide your Aadhar card number or make a photocopy of it.
- Lock Your Aadhaar: Or else it can be misused, UIDAI allows you the option to lock the card using the portal or the mobile app which can be accessed freely.
- Activate Virtual ID (VID): A new Aadhar number isn’t created in place of the old one, rather a 16-digit ID known as VID is issued to use during authentication.
- Control Aadhaar Exploitation: Check the history of Aadhaar types used for authentication on the UIDAI portal to see if there has been any unintended exploitation of the nine unique types.
- Watch Out For Identity Thieves Or Email Scammers: Identity thieves may contact you to verify your Aadhar card which is not done by UIDAI, contact authorities if this is the case.
What Happens After Filing a Complaint?
After filing a complaint, UIDAI takes charge of the situation. They are likely to:
- Prevent Further Abuse: Temporarily suspend the Aadhaar number to stop further abuse.
- Inform Necessary Bodies: Notify the banks or service providers for the needed efforts to be made.
- Seek Compensation: Where applicable, initiate legal proceedings against the offenders.
Resolution timelines differ due to the differences in database issues but each complaint is dealt with during specified time frames by UIDAI.
Why It’s Important to Report Aadhaar Misuse
To improve the Aadhaar security system by reporting an Aadhaar misuse, it’s equally important to shield your identity. Therefore UIDAI should be able to:
- Spot Damage: Make efforts to fill the gaps and make things more secure.
- Take Care of Others: Educate people on how to avoid it first, so it doesn’t happen again.
- Deploy Register Lax Offenders: Arrest and penalize all the individuals or organizations abusing the Aadhaar.
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Conclusion
While the Aadhar card aids greatly in establishing identity and acquiring services, the misuse of the Aadhar card is something that should be prevented at all costs. Days of Aadhaar abuse may be frightening, however, complaints lodged with the UIDAI website which has effective complaint mechanisms, can prevent this from happening.
By being careful, using UIDAI’s services, and complaining about abuse, you can safeguard your Aadhaar and it remains useful in your life.
If you happen to be one of those affected and want to report any misuse of your Aadhaar card, then act now. Register a complaint and contribute to the secure identity management of Indians.