Aadhaar card tips: Can fraudsters use your 12-digit biometric to open bank account? UIDAI explains

Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, is allowed to obtain an Aadhaar card which comes with 12-digit random numbers provided by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Holding a Aadhaar is must for Indian citizens, because it is a vital identification for various services like opening a subsidised LPG connection, filing Income Tax Return (ITR), opening a bank account or even applying for Permanent Account Number (PAN). Currently, UIDAI has generated 122.79 crore Aadhaar cards in India. Hence, considering this is a very important tool of identification, there can also be error in case of fraud. Any individual’s Aadhaar can fall in the hands of a fraudster where they can misuse information mentioned on the card. There are various reason for a scammer to fool a citizen holding an Aadhaar card including opening a bank account.

However, if you are worried that if some fraudster who obtains a copy of your Aadhaar card and to open a bank account in your name, then UIDAI reassures that you will not be harmed. On UIDAI website, it is explained that, one must keep in mind that a bank account cannot be opened merely on the presentation or submission of a physical Aadhaar card or its photocopy.

According to PML Rules and RBI circulations, for opening a bank account - a bank will also need to do biometric or OTP authentication and other due diligence before accepting Aadhaar for banking transaction or KYC.

Thereby, UIDAI states that, no one can open a bank account in your name without your verification through biometric/OTP etc.

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In case if a bank does open an account by accepting Aadhaar without biometric or OTP authentication and other verification, then it is the bank who will be held responsible for your loss. In such situation, you will not be responsible for bank’s fault, hence, even if there is a financial transaction in your name then it the bank who will bear burden.

UIDAI also mentioned that, it is just like if some fraudster opens a bank account by presenting someone else’s Voter card/Ration card, it is the bank that would be held responsible not the voter or ration card holder.

Thus, UIDAI reteriates that, so far no Aadhaar holder has suffered any financial loss on account of such misuse.

Therefore, even if a fraudster does have a copy of your Aadhaar card and tries to open a bank account, in this case you are safe.