In a digital-centric era, Aadhaar, India's distinctive ID system, plays a pivotal role in authentication. Yet, rising Aadhaar fraud raises security concerns, potentially paving the way for identity theft.

Awareness and taking preventive measures can help people be safe and avoid the serious consequences of Aadhaar card identity theft.

Aadhaar fraud encompasses deceptive practices aimed at manipulating or misusing the unique identification system. 

Aadhaar identity theft occurs when unauthorised individuals gain access to someone's Aadhaar details, exploiting the information and impersonating for various fraudulent activities.

Criminals may use stolen Aadhaar details to open bank accounts, obtain SIM cards, or engage in other fraudulent activities that can have serious repercussions for the legitimate cardholder.

Aadhaar card identity theft majorly takes place in six ways, such as:

• Data Breaches: Hackers infiltrate databases to steal Aadhaar numbers and to use the linked personal information.
  
• Phishing Scams: Deceptive emails or messages masquerading as legitimate entities to trick users into revealing their Aadhaar details.
  
• Biometric Theft: Capturing fingerprints or iris scans through sophisticated means to impersonate the genuine Aadhaar holder.
  
• Fake Mobile Apps: Malicious apps designed to steal Aadhaar information or perform unauthorized transactions after gaining access.
  
• Fraud Services: Fraudsters charge money for speedy Aadhaar services but often keep coping with them, leaving people with financial losses.
  
• Fake Websites: Creating imitation websites that mimic official Aadhaar portals is a common tactic employed by cybercriminals.

Reporting Aadhaar fraud is crucial in mitigating the impact of identity theft by following the given steps:

• Step 1: Visit Website: Access the official UIDAI website dedicated to reporting Aadhaar-related fraud.
  
• Step 2: Enter Details: Provide necessary personal information and details regarding the fraud incident.
  
• Step 3: Select Complaint Category: Specify the Aadhaar fraud encountered for proper investigation.
  
• Step 4: Verify Details: Review the entered information for accuracy and completeness.
  
• Step 5: Submit the Complaint: Finalise and submit the complaint to initiate the resolution process.

Preventing Aadhaar card identity theft involves safeguarding one's information by adopting these five preventive methods:

• Lock Aadhaar Biometrics: Utilise the UIDAI's biometric locking system to secure your Aadhaar biometrics. This adds an additional layer of protection, requiring biometric authentication to unlock the information.
  
• Don't Share Aadhaar Details: Exercise caution when asked to share Aadhaar details. Legitimate organisations rarely require the full Aadhaar number, and individuals should question such requests to prevent unauthorised access.
  
• Avoid Public Computers: Refrain from entering Aadhaar details on public computers or unsecured networks. Using personal devices and secure internet connections reduces the risk of data interception.
  
• Shred Unwanted Photocopies: Dispose of unnecessary photocopies of Aadhaar documents securely. Shredding prevents unauthorised individuals from accessing discarded copies and reduces the risk of identity theft.
  
• Use Masked Aadhaar Card: Opt for a masked Aadhaar card when sharing the document for verification purposes. Masking conceals the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number, providing limited information to the verifier.
  

Aadhaar card identity theft is a growing concern that necessitates proactive measures to safeguard personal information. By understanding the risks, knowing how identity theft occurs, being aware of where to report fraudulent activities, and implementing preventative measures, individuals can significantly reduce their vulnerability to Aadhaar fraud.