How to Protect Your Aadhaar? A Step-by-Step Guide to Detect and Prevent Misuse

Aadhaar, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a vital identification document for Indian citizens. It not just includes crucial information like your date of birth, and address, but also consists of your biometric data, including fingerprint and iris. Safeguarding your Aadhaar card is essential, especially considering the power and capabilities that Aadhaar holds!

Aadhaar is a unique ID, which can be used to get a new SIM connection, open a bank account, secure a loan, and a lot more. Someone else having access to your Aadhaar can lead to serious fraud, hence, it is best to keep this in check and monitor the usage once in a while.

To check if someone else has access to your Aadhaar card and its usage history, UIDAI offers an 'Authentication History' feature on the myAadhaar portal for this very purpose. Here's a guide to help you find out if your Aadhaar card has been misused by someone else.

Steps to Check Aadhaar Card Usage History

• Step 1: First, visit the myAadhaar portal and log in. Enter your Aadhaar number along with the Captcha code.
• Step 2: Click on "Login with OTP" and input the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to access your account. Again for this, you need a phone number that's attached to your Aadhaar, if not, make sure to update the same from one of the Aadhaar seva Kendra located near you.
• Step 3: Once logged in, select the Authentication History option. It allows you to choose the time frame for which you want to view the history. This will allow you to identify any unknown associated with your Aadhaar number, where you will get all the information related to the usage of your Aadhaar cards for various purposes.

If you notice any unauthorised Aadhaar activities in the usage history, it's advisable to inform UIDAI immediately via toll-free number 1947 or email @uidai.gov.in.

While it's not possible to determine how exactly your Aadhaar card might have been misused, checking its history can alert you if someone else is using it without your consent. This proactive measure helps protect your identity from potential misuse.

By regularly monitoring the usage of your Aadhaar card through UIDAI's features, you can ensure that your personal information remains secure. Keeping track of this data is an important step in safeguarding against identity theft and fraud.