Aadhaar-Linked Mobile Numbers: How To Check For Unauthorised Connections

A mobile number can be registered using Aadhaar-based identity verification, and a person can have up to nine mobile connections registered in their name under Department of Telecommunications (DoT) rules.

With mobile numbers now used for banking, digital payments, social media and other online services, checking connections issued against a person’s identity can help identify possible misuse of personal details.

Why Should You Check for Mobile Connections

Telecom companies accept Aadhaar as an identity and address document for issuing SIM cards. While this simplifies the verification process, misuse of Aadhaar details can also result in a SIM being obtained using another person’s identity.

An unauthorised mobile connection can potentially be used for calls, messages, online accounts, or fraudulent activities. If such a number is registered in someone else’s name, the actual identity holder may not know about it unless they check their registered connections.

The Sanchar Saathi portal provides a facility called Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP). It allows users to view mobile connections issued in their name and report numbers that they do not recognise.

How To Check Mobile Numbers Registered In Your Name

Consumers can check their registered connections through the Sanchar Saathi website. The process requires an active mobile number and an OTP-based verification.

Users first need to enter their 10-digit mobile number on the relevant TAFCOP service. They then have to complete the CAPTCHA and verify the number using the OTP received on their phone. After verification, the portal displays the mobile connections registered under the user’s identity. Consumers can review the list and report any number that they did not obtain or do not recognise.

Why Checking Registered Connections Matters

Mobile numbers are connected to many services that use OTPs for authentication. These include bank accounts, payment services, social media profiles, and other digital platforms.

If a SIM is obtained fraudulently using another person’s identity documents, the number could potentially be used as part of scams or other unlawful activities. The identity holder may not know that a connection has been registered in their name.

The DoT has also put safeguards around SIM issuance. New connections require digital know-your-customer (KYC) or e-KYC, while bulk issuance of SIM cards to ordinary users has been restricted.

Rules also cover the re-issuance of deactivated numbers. A 90-day waiting period applies before an inactive mobile number can be issued to another subscriber. Checking the numbers registered under your identity through Sanchar Saathi can, therefore, help identify connections that you do not recognise and provide a route for reporting them.