Indian rules cap the number of mobile connections one person can hold. Fraudsters exploit weak KYC to issue SIMs against someone else's identity documents, then use those numbers for OTP fraud. Auditing what is registered in your name is the single cheapest security check you can do.
Why it matters
- A SIM issued in your name can be used for fraud that traces back to you.
- Unknown connections are an early indicator that your ID documents leaked.
- Deactivating unused numbers shrinks the surface for SIM-swap attacks on your bank OTPs.
How to audit your numbers
- Use the official Sanchar Saathi / TAFCOP portal run by the Department of Telecommunications to list connections against your identity.
- For each number you do not recognise, note it and raise a report through the same portal.
- Run each unknown number through the Mobile module to see the operator and circle — that tells you which operator's grievance channel to escalate to.
- Ask the operator in writing to deactivate connections you never authorised, and keep the ticket reference.
- Enable an operator-level SIM-swap or port-out lock on the numbers you keep.
After you find an unknown SIM
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Number you no longer use | Request deactivation to free a slot. |
| Number you never took | Report through the government portal and to the operator. |
| Number used in a fraud against you | File a cybercrime complaint and cite the operator ticket. |
FAQ
How many SIM cards can be registered on one Aadhaar?
Indian telecom rules allow up to nine mobile connections per individual identity, with a lower cap in some regions such as Jammu & Kashmir and the north-east.
Can someone take a SIM in my name without me knowing?
It happens where KYC is weak or documents leak. That is exactly why the periodic audit exists.
Is there a fee to check SIMs on my Aadhaar?
No. The government portal is free. Any site charging you for the audit itself is best avoided.
What do I do if a fraud was committed using a SIM in my name?
Report it on the national cybercrime portal, notify the operator in writing, and keep every reference number as evidence that you flagged it.