Aadhaar Fingerprint Cloning Scam over the phone

How it looks over the phone, the red flags and what to do.

A phone call lets the scammer talk fast, sound confident and keep you from thinking. The caller ID can be faked, so it proves nothing. Aadhaar Fingerprint Cloning Scam is one of the ways this shows up: Fraudsters use leaked fingerprints and Aadhaar numbers to withdraw money through Aadhaar-enabled payments. Learn how to lock your biometrics.

What aadhaar fingerprint cloning scam looks like over the phone

• A calm, official voice that already knows your name or the last digits of your card.
• Being told to stay on the line and not to tell your family.
• Instructions to install a screen-sharing app or to press keys on the phone.

The set-up begins with data. Fingerprint images and Aadhaar numbers are scraped from old registration records, rental agreements or leaked databases. Agents sometimes keep copies of the prints they collected for legitimate work. A scammer assembles your Aadhaar number, linked bank and a usable fingerprint image. They do not need to speak to you, which is what makes it hard to notice.

Red flags to check on the phone call

• A debit message arrives for a withdrawal you did not make.
• A caller mentions biometric mismatch and asks for your Aadhaar number.
• You gave fingerprints to an unknown agent for a service.
• Small repeated withdrawals appear without any OTP.
• You are told that a case, arrest, block or penalty is coming within minutes.
• You are asked to move money to a "safe account".

What to do

1. Lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the official UIDAI app or website.
2. Check the last few weeks of your bank statement for small cash debits.
3. Turn on SMS alerts for every transaction in your bank app.
4. Hang up. A real bank or office will not mind that you call them back.
5. Call the bank or office on the number printed on your card, bill or official app, not on a number the caller gave.
6. Never share an OTP or PIN. No genuine staff member needs it.

Report the number on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility). If money moved, call 1930 immediately.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Call 1930 right away and give the transaction time and amount.
2. Contact your bank on the number printed on your passbook and raise a dispute in writing.
3. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in and keep the acknowledgement.
4. Lock biometrics on the official UIDAI service so it cannot happen again.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio Sentinel cannot lock your Aadhaar biometrics. That is done on the official UIDAI service. What it can do is help you with the call and text side of this scam: the scam check reads a message you paste and points out fake authority and requests for identity numbers. The Money Shield checklist reminds you of questions before you share anything. It does not watch your bank account or recover money.

Full guide: Aadhaar Fingerprint Cloning Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: fake app, social media.

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