Aadhaar card scam: Protect yourself from scammers who exploit AePS to steal your money

Scammers are always finding new ways to misuse emerging technology and deceive users into stealing their hard-earned money from bank accounts. 

Recently, a new scam has emerged where hackers can steal money without making calls, requesting OTPs, or sending fake links.

As government and law enforcement agencies have become more vigilant in preventing cybercrimes, criminals have adapted by changing their fraud tactics. 

Nowadays, scammers are stealing money from bank accounts using AePS, a service introduced by the government for public convenience.

What is AePS? 

Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) allows users to withdraw money using their Aadhaar card and biometrics, without needing a cheque book or ATM card. However, the Reserve Bank has set limits on such transactions.

In this scam, cybercriminals have devised a method to steal people's information and money through AePS. They first obtain land allotment documents from government offices that contain people's fingerprints.

Using these stolen fingerprints for biometric verification along with Aadhaar card numbers, they can easily withdraw money from banks.

How can you protect yourself?

To avoid falling victim to this scam, it's crucial to safeguard your Aadhaar card. Refrain from sharing it with anyone. 

If sharing is necessary, consider using a Masked Aadhaar card where the Aadhaar number is hidden. Alternatively, use a Virtual ID (VID) instead of sharing your Aadhaar number.