New Portal Empowers Indians to Combat Mobile Fraud
In today's digital world, a mobile number serves as a primary key to our identity, linking us to everything from bank accounts and digital payment apps to official documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards. This deep integration, while convenient, has created significant vulnerabilities. It has made SIM cards a valuable target for criminals, who exploit stolen identities to acquire unauthorized connections. These fraudulent SIMs are then used for a range of illegal activities, leaving the legitimate owner exposed to financial loss and legal complications. To address this growing threat, the Indian government has launched a powerful new tool to help people reclaim control over their digital footprint.
The Sanchar Saathi platform, a comprehensive digital initiative developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), is designed to place control back into the hands of mobile users. This citizen-centric portal empowers individuals to safeguard their identity by offering a suite of essential services. Users can now easily check for any mobile numbers operating under their name and report those they do not recognize. The platform is also a crucial tool for victims of phone theft, allowing them to report and block lost or stolen devices nationwide, rendering them unusable on any network. Furthermore, it allows users to track the status of their stolen devices using their IMEI number and even verify the authenticity of a handset before purchasing it.
The platform is already making a significant impact on curbing telecom-related fraud. According to Telecom Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Sanchar Saathi has successfully blocked over 3.35 million fraudulent or lost phones since its launch. The system's tracking capabilities have helped trace more than 2 million stolen devices. Of those recovered, approximately 464,000 have been successfully returned to their rightful owners, demonstrating the system's effectiveness in not just preventing crime but also providing tangible relief to citizens.
The government is actively encouraging everyone to use the platform to conduct a digital audit of their mobile connections. The process is designed to be simple and accessible:
- Visit the official Sanchar Saathi portal (
sancharsaathi.gov.in). - Navigate to the 'Citizen Centric Services' section and select the "Know Your Mobile Connections" option.
- Enter your 10-digit mobile number and a captcha, then log in using the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone.
The portal will then display a complete list of all SIM cards registered to your identity documents. If you find any unrecognized or suspicious numbers on this list, you can select them, choose the "Not My Number" option, and submit a report directly on the portal. This action generates a request ID for tracking and immediately triggers a re-verification process with the telecom service provider. If the connection is confirmed to be unauthorized, it will be deactivated, securing your identity from potential misuse. This simple yet crucial step allows individuals to proactively protect themselves and maintain the integrity of their digital identity.
