New Delhi: PAN card is one of the most crucial identity and financial documents in India. But with rising digitization and online KYC procedures, PAN card fraud has become alarmingly common. Cases have emerged where people have been penalized for loans or financial activities they never authorized—only to discover that their PAN card details were misused.

If you're wondering whether your PAN card is being used illegally, here's how you can check and protect yourself from identity theft and financial fraud.

There are many ways your PAN card details can be leaked or stolen:

• Loan apps often require only PAN and Aadhaar to process instant loans. Fraudsters exploit these apps by submitting someone else's PAN.

• Public platforms like railway ticket booking sometimes display PAN numbers on reservation charts, risking data exposure.

• Third-party KYC agents might mishandle your information due to weak cybersecurity measures or data leaks.

Such breaches allow scammers to use your PAN for unauthorized loans, fake accounts, or even illegal transactions—leaving you in legal and financial trouble.

Fortunately, you can detect potential misuse of your PAN card using these simple steps:

Your credit report is the first place where signs of fraud will appear. A sudden drop or unexpected loan entry might mean your PAN was used.

• CIBIL

• Equifax

• Experian

• CRIF High Mark

These are India's major credit bureaus. Any suspicious loan inquiry or account linked to your PAN will show up in their reports.

Websites and apps like:

• Paytm

• BankBazaar

• Paisabazaar

...allow you to check credit activity and financial history using your PAN. They aggregate reports from credit bureaus and help detect red flags.

If you find that your PAN is linked to unknown loans or credit activities:

Remember, acting quickly can prevent long-term financial damage and protect your credit score.