Beware of fake Aadhaar cards, middlemen: UIDAI

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked citizens to stay clear of enterprising touts who may try to dupe them by issuing fake Aadhaar cards.

Ashok Dalwai, Deputy Director General, UIDAI (Karnataka), said that the Authority had received several complaints in that regard. He, however, did not mention any particular incident.

“We have filed criminal cases against them. We want to caution the citizens so that they do not fall prey,” he said.

As the government has linked Aadhaar cards to many of its schemes, more and more people are applying for enrolment. Consequently, getting an Aadhaar card has become all the more tedious. A few enterprising touts have tried to exploit the people. In some instances, they have duped the citizens into shelling out money. In other cases, fake cards have been issued to them as well. 

That is not all. Even genuine Aadhaar cards are being issued for a sum and unsuspecting people have happily obliged.

“Although we do not know the exact details of fraudulent cases in the City, we have certainly taken action against a few unauthorised private agencies for duping citizens by issuing them Aadhaar cards,” Dalwai added. According to the UIDAI, nearly 45 lakh people have enrolled for Aadhaar cards so far and 28 lakh cards have been issued. Dalwai, however, lamented the lack of public awareness about e-Aadhaar facility available on the UIDAI website, http://uidai.gov.in/.

“People whose cards have not been sent can visit the website, type their enrolment number and get the printout of the e-Aadhaar card. Many people also complain about spelling errors and mistakes in their Aadhaar cards.

“They can visit the self-service updation portal on the website and correct the details. They can get the errors corrected by visiting the Aadhaar enrolment centres within 48 hours of applying for Aadhaar cards,” added Dalwai.