UIDAI: Aadhaar safety tip - Secure your 12-digit biometric, never share this vital detail with anyone

UIDAI Aadhaar Safety Tip: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has developed Aadhaar card in such a manner that a citizens identity remains secure and safe from the hands of fraudsters. UIDAI took to Twitter warning citizens in regards to their Aadhaar card. The latest alert would be in regards to Aadhaar OTP. UIDAI has asked citizens to never share Aadhaar OTP with anyone. OTPs are generally one of the most important tool to secure your bank account, digital transactions, and in case of Aadhaar it eliminates the error of fraud for services we carry online and offline. Once you register your mobile number with Aadhaar, then for online services related to 12-digit biometric at UIDAI, you will be asked for authentication in form of OTP, which indicates that you are the rightful holder of the Aadhaar and carrying out the service. By this, UIDAI continues to secure your Aadhaar identity. 

According to UIDAI’s website, every day more than 3 crore Authentications are carried out on the Aadhaar platform. It also reiterates that, UIDAI keeps upgrading and reviewing its security systems and safety mechanisms to make Aadhaar more secure and more useable. There has not been a single instance of biometric data breach from Aadhaar database. Therefore, people should freely use and give Aadhaar to prove their identity as and when required.

UIDAI via its Twitter account says, “Aadhaar OTP is a convenient and powerful tool to use Aadhaar authentication from anywhere. Use it yourself. Never share it with anyone else for use on your behalf. To check the mobile number on which you will receive Aadhaar OTP.”

#AadhaarEssentials
Aadhaar OTP is a convenient and powerful tool to use Aadhaar authentication from anywhere. Use it yourself. Never share it with anyone else for use on your behalf. To check the mobile number on which you will receive Aadhaar OTP, see: https://t.co/02cTSo0dKj pic.twitter.com/fj1B2eZKfe

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) April 24, 2019

For example, if a fraudster has a copy of your Aadhaar card, the real question is whether they can use the identity in removing money or opening an account from your bank. UIDAI eliminates this danger, by way of Aadhaar OTP. 

UIDAI explains that, just like by merely knowing your bank account number, one cannot withdraw money from your account, similarly by merely knowing your Aadhaar number, no one can withdraw money from Aadhaar linked bank account. Also, 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. 

Under the PML Rules and RBI circulars, to open a bank account, the bank is required to do biometric or OTP authentication and other due diligence before accepting Aadhaar for banking transaction or KYC. Hence, no one can open a bank account in your name without your verification through biometric/OTP etc. In the same manner, withdrawing money from your Aadhaar linked bank account through Aadhaar, your fingerprint, IRIS or OTP sent to your Aadhaar registered mobile will be required.

Hence, it is very important that you do not share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone.