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PAN Card Fraud: In today's digital era, the PAN card has become a crucial financial document. It is required for everything from opening a bank account to obtaining a loan. However, there has been a recent surge in cases involving the misuse of PAN cards and the procurement of fraudulent loans in individuals' names.

Given this, it is essential to remain vigilant to protect your CIBIL score and safeguard yourself against financial fraud. Let us explore how you can detect the misuse of your PAN card and the legal steps you can take if fraud occurs.

How to Check Your PAN Card's Loan History
To prevent the misuse of your PAN card, every citizen should periodically review their financial report. You can easily check your CIBIL score by following the steps outlined below.

Check Your CIBIL Score Periodically
Visit the official websites of CIBIL, Experian, or Equifax every 2–3 months. Alternatively, you can view your free credit score through trusted apps like Google Pay or Paytm. After downloading the report, navigate to the 'Accounts' or 'Credit Facility' section to verify if there are any loans or credit cards listed that you never actually obtained.

Keep an Eye on the 'Inquiry' Section of Your Credit Report
Carefully examine the 'Inquiry' section of your credit report. If a bank or finance company has conducted a loan inquiry against your PAN—and you did not submit such an application—it is a clear indication that someone is attempting to misuse your PAN card.

Download and Carefully Examine Income Tax Form 26AS and AIS
Log in to the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal to verify all financial transactions linked to your PAN card. Download your Form 26AS and AIS from the portal and scrutinize them closely for any unknown or suspicious transactions.

Pay Close Attention to Text Messages and Emails
Never ignore any unexpected messages regarding loan approvals, EMI due dates, or defaults sent to your registered mobile number or email. Financial institutions communicate details about any transaction on your account exclusively through text messages and emails. Monitoring these alerts can help you detect if a loan has been fraudulently obtained using your PAN.

Where to Complain in Case of Fraud
If you discover a fraudulent loan or suspicious activity linked to your PAN card, do not panic; instead, take the following steps immediately.

File a Complaint with the Credit Bureau
First, visit the official website of the relevant credit bureau (such as CIBIL). Select the fraudulent loan account appearing in your report and click on the 'Dispute' option. Mark it as 'Not Mine' (indicating the account does not belong to you) or as 'Fraud,' and submit the request.

Contact the Lender (Bank or Finance Company) Immediately
Immediately contact the customer care and nodal officer of the bank, NBFC, or fintech loan app that issued the fraudulent loan. Inform them—via email or a written application—that the loan was obtained fraudulently and request the immediate closure of the account. Additionally, ask for copies of the KYC documents used to sanction the loan.

File a Complaint on the Cyber ​​Crime Portal
If you fall victim to financial fraud, immediately visit the Government of India's National Cyber ​​Crime Reporting Portal (Cybercrime.gov.in) and file an online complaint. Alternatively, you can register your complaint by calling the national helpline number '1930'. Keep the complaint number (FIR/Complaint Number) safe, as it will serve as crucial evidence for your legal defense in the future. If you notice any incorrect transaction or misuse of your PAN card in Income Tax Form 26AS or your tax statement, report it immediately by visiting the official Income Tax website and using the customer care or 'Query and Grievance' section.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.