Aadhaar has become a part of almost every important task in daily life, from banking and mobile connections to PAN cards and government schemes. However, with Aadhaar linked to so many services, Aadhaar-related fraud cases are increasing, as scammers misuse leaked details to access people’s financial accounts. This makes it extremely important for citizens to know how to keep their Aadhaar card safe.
The Aadhaar Card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Government of India. It contains a person’s demographic and biometric details, such as fingerprints and iris scans. Aadhaar is required for banking transactions, online payments, mobile numbers, property documents and availing government benefits. Without Aadhaar, many essential services may not be accessible. Since Aadhaar is directly linked to biometric data, even a small mistake can lead to serious financial loss.
Why Aadhaar fraud is rising
As Aadhaar is linked everywhere, scammers often take advantage of carelessness. Sharing Aadhaar details on social media or through unencrypted platforms can put users at high risk. Even a simple photograph of an Aadhaar card can be misused. Once fraudsters get access to Aadhaar information, they can attempt to drain bank accounts or misuse personal data.
To reduce this risk, individuals are advised to lock their Aadhaar biometrics, which prevents anyone from using fingerprints or iris scans for authentication, especially for AePS transactions.
How to lock Aadhaar biometrics online
You can lock or unlock your Aadhaar biometrics easily through the UIDAI website (uidai.gov.in). Go to the ‘My Aadhaar’ section and click on ‘Aadhaar Services’. Select ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, captcha and generate an OTP sent to your registered mobile number. After entering the OTP, enable biometric locking.
Once biometrics are locked, no one can authenticate your Aadhaar, making misuse almost impossible. Users are also advised to use a masked Aadhaar, where the first eight digits are hidden and only the last four digits are visible, to stay safer from fraud.
Taking these simple steps can help protect both your Aadhaar and your bank account.
