Can Someone Withdraw Money From Your Bank Account Using Just Your Aadhaar Number?
Can someone steal money using your Aadhaar number? UIDAI clarifies the risk, explains how AePS fraud works, and shares steps to lock your biometrics and stay safe.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clarified that knowing someone's Aadhaar number alone is not enough to withdraw money from a linked bank account. Just as a debit card requires a PIN, Aadhaar-based withdrawals require biometric authentication - fingerprint, iris scan, or an OTP sent to the registered mobile number.
However, when fraudsters combine the Aadhaar number with cloned biometric data, the risk becomes real through what is known as an AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) scam.
How AePS Fraud Works
In AePS scams, criminals first steal fingerprint data - often from property registration documents stored at sub-registrar offices. They then clone the prints onto silicone or gel molds and use them alongside the victim's Aadhaar number on micro-ATM devices operated by banking correspondents. Since AePS does not require an OTP for biometric-based transactions, no alert is triggered on the victim's phone before the money is drained.
How To Protect Yourself
The most effective defence is locking your biometrics through UIDAI's official portal (uidai.gov.in) or the mAadhaar app. Once locked, no fingerprint or iris-based authentication - including AePS withdrawals - can go through until you unlock it yourself.
Other precautions include monitoring bank SMS alerts for unexpected debits, never sharing OTPs with callers claiming to be from banks or UIDAI, and masking your Aadhaar number on photocopies shared with third parties.
If an unauthorised AePS transaction is detected, contact your bank immediately.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2026 11:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).