Protect Your Mobile Identity: Check and Report Fraudulent SIM Cards Issued in Your Name
The Sanchar Saathi platform helps users protect their mobile identity by detecting, reporting, and deactivating unauthorized SIM cards issued using stolen identities.
Tech Author
In the modern era of technology, your mobile number is more than just a contact; it is your identity. It is linked to your bank accounts, Aadhaar card, and other digital services. However, as mobile numbers have grown in importance, they have become a popular target for scammers. Fraudsters are using stolen identities to issue unauthorized SIM cards, often without the real person's knowledge.
To address this serious threat, the Indian government established the Sanchar Saathi platform. C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) created this portal to assist citizens in protecting their mobile identities and avoiding telecom-related fraud.
This platform platform offers a range of citizen-centric services aimed at safeguarding mobile users. It allows individuals to block or report lost and stolen phones, track devices using their IMEI numbers, and check all mobile numbers that have been issued under their name. Additionally, users can report spam or fraudulent calls and messages, and even verify the authenticity of their mobile handsets. These features collectively help users stay informed and secure in an increasingly digital environment.
Telecom Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani says that the platform has already blocked more than 33.5 lakh suspicious or stolen mobile devices and helped find more than 20 lakh stolen phones. It's amazing that about 4.64 lakh phones have been given back to their owners.
The "Know Your Mobile Connections" service is one of the most important parts of Sanchar Saathi. This lets people see if any SIM cards they don't know about are issued in their name. This is how to use it:
- Go to "sancharsaathi.gov.in" (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in)
- Click on "Know Your Mobile Connections" under "Citizen Centric Services."
- Type in your mobile number and the captcha code.
- Check the OTP that was sent to your phone number.
- See all the SIM cards that are linked to your name
Just mark any numbers you don't know as "Not My Number." The system will flag them for re-verification, and SIMs that aren't authorized will be turned off, which will help keep you safe.
In short, Sanchar Saathi gives people the power to keep an eye on and protect their mobile identities, which is very important in a world where everything is connected.
This article is based on information from India Today
