Unknown Mobile Number Registered on Your Aadhaar? Here’s How To Track It Down
The Department of Telecommunications' Sanchar Saathi platform lets users check all mobile connections registered under their identity via the TAFCOP portal, and flag unauthorized ones. Unverified SIMs face service suspension within 30 days and complete disconnection within 60 days after a report is filed.
With mobile numbers now serving as the primary authentication channel for net banking, digital wallets and government services, fraudulent SIM issuance has become one of the biggest routes for identity theft and financial fraud in India. To address this risk, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) allows citizens to check and disconnect unauthorized mobile connections issued in their name through its centralized digital platform. The utility, accessible under the Sanchar Saathi initiative, lets mobile subscribers across the country cross check every phone number registered against their identity documents and report unapproved connections for deactivation.
What Is Sanchar Saathi And TAFCOP
The Department of Telecommunications operates the Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP) portal through the central Sanchar Saathi platform, sancharsaathi.gov.in. The system maps subscriber identity databases across telecom service providers, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and BSNL. When a user enters an active, verified mobile number, the platform pulls up all active SIM connections registered nationwide under the same identity credentials. Aadhaar Biometric Update for Children Aged 5-17 Free Till September 30; UIDAI Urges Parents to Act.
Under existing DoT regulations, an individual subscriber can hold a maximum of nine mobile connections across all operators, a limit that is restricted to six connections in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and North East licensed service areas. Any number operating beyond this limit, or acquired without the document holder's knowledge, poses significant legal and financial risk.
Steps To Check Mobile Connections Registered In Your Name
The verification process takes only a few minutes and does not require sharing sensitive identity document numbers directly on third party sites. Aadhaar Update Drive: UIDAI Completes Mandatory Biometric Updates for Over 1 Crore Schoolchildren.
To begin, users need to visit the official Sanchar Saathi website and select the module labeled "Know Mobile Connections in Your Name", or go directly to the TAFCOP utility at tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in. Next, they must enter an active 10-digit mobile number registered in their name, fill in the on-screen CAPTCHA and click "Validate" or "Request OTP", followed by entering the OTP received on their mobile device to complete authentication.
Once authenticated, the dashboard displays the total count and a list of all active mobile numbers registered against the user's identity documents across all telecom circles.
What To Do If You Spot An Unknown Number
If the portal shows a phone number that is not recognized or no longer in use, immediate action is advised. The portal offers three reporting options against each listed connection: "Not My Number" for a connection that was never applied for or authorized, "Not Required" for a number legitimately acquired earlier but no longer needed, and "Required" to confirm that a connection is legitimate and in active use. Selecting the relevant option and submitting the request generates a reference tracking ticket.
What Happens After Filing A Report
Once an unauthorized connection is flagged, the respective telecom service provider is notified to begin re-verification of the flagged subscriber. If re-verification fails, or the user on the flagged SIM cannot prove legitimate ownership, outgoing services are typically suspended within 30 days, followed by restrictions on incoming calls. Unverified connections are completely disconnected from the network within 60 days, preventing further misuse.
Subscribers can use the ticket reference number on the TAFCOP portal to track the resolution status of their flagged reports, and checking the database periodically can help ensure that inactive or fraudulently acquired numbers do not remain linked to their identity.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2026 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
