Check SIM Misuse via TAFCOP on Sanchar Saathi 2026

Someone in Karnataka discovered five SIM cards active in her name - she had applied for only two. All five were found using a single free visit to TAFCOP, the government tool under the Sanchar Saathi initiative. She reported three as “This is not my number.” All three were flagged for re-verification and the connections she had not taken were disconnected.

For what to do if a fraudster has already used a SIM linked to you, see SIM swap fraud recovery. For a broader look at why unauthorised SIMs appear in your name, see unknown mobile numbers in my name on Sanchar Saathi.

TAFCOP stands for Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection. It is a service run by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, and is available through the Sanchar Saathi portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in. The service lets any subscriber see how many mobile connections are currently registered in their name across all telecom operators in India, and flag connections they do not recognise.

The Sanchar Saathi portal also hosts CEIR (to block a lost handset by IMEI) and Chakshu (to report fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages). TAFCOP is the specific tool under “Know Mobile Connections in Your Name.”

1. Open a browser and go to tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in. The page loads a plain login form.
2. Enter your 10-digit mobile number - use a number already working in your name.
3. Click “Request OTP.” An OTP arrives on that number within a few seconds.
4. Enter the OTP and click “Validate.”
5. The dashboard shows a list of all mobile connections registered under the Aadhaar linked to that mobile number.

Each row in the list shows the mobile number and its status. The total connections are counted at the top.

What you need before you start:

• Your mobile phone switched on and within network range (to receive the OTP).
• The mobile number must be active and KYC-verified in your name. If your SIM was recently swapped or reissued, first check SIM stopped, swap, and KYC recovery.
• A stable internet connection on any device - mobile, laptop, or desktop.
• If you have more than one Aadhaar-linked mobile number, you must repeat the login for each number to see all connections.

Important: TAFCOP shows connections linked to the Aadhaar associated with the mobile number you log in with. If your Aadhaar biometric authentication has failed or is locked, your SIM KYC may show incorrectly - check Aadhaar biometric locked or authentication failed.

This is the most common question TAFCOP answers. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 (effective June 26, 2024) allows an individual subscriber to hold a maximum of 9 mobile connections across all operators in India. In Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and the North-Eastern states, the limit is 6 connections.

To find out exactly how many SIMs are linked to your Aadhaar:

1. Log in to tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in with your mobile number and OTP.
2. The dashboard displays the total count at the top - for example, “You have 4 mobile connections.”
3. Each connection row shows the mobile number, the telecom operator (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL, etc.), and the current status.

If the count is higher than the SIMs you actually use, someone has used your identity to take additional connections. This is a serious red flag for identity theft and potential financial fraud. Report the unknown numbers immediately as described below.

If the count shows zero but you have active SIMs, your SIMs may be registered under a different identity document (such as a company name or a family member's ID). This can also happen if your UIDAI Aadhaar-SIM linking was done incorrectly. Contact your telecom operator to correct the records.

You can also read our detailed guide on unknown mobile numbers in my name on Sanchar Saathi for more on why this happens.

For each number in the list, you can choose one of three actions:

• Required - the number is yours and you want to keep it. No action is needed; this is the default.
• Not Required - the number is registered to you (perhaps an old SIM from a family member or a number you no longer need) but you want it closed. The operator will initiate a re-verification and close the connection if the subscriber cannot confirm use.
• This is not my number - you did not take this connection and it appears fraudulently linked to your identity. Use this for any number you genuinely do not recognise.

Select the checkbox next to the unknown number, choose the appropriate option, and click Report. The portal assigns a reference ID for that request. Save this reference ID - you will need it to track the complaint status later.

For context on why telecom operators may not always be at fault for these issues, see SIM swap fraud where telecom is not at fault.

Reporting an unauthorised SIM is the most critical step after discovering one on TAFCOP. Here is the detailed process:

1. Step 1: Identify the unauthorised number. On the TAFCOP dashboard, compare every listed number against the SIMs you actually use. Any number you do not recognise is potentially fraudulent.
2. Step 2: Select “This is not my number.” This is different from “Not Required” - it triggers a deeper fraud investigation rather than a simple closure.
3. Step 3: Submit the report. Click the Report button. You will receive a reference ID (also called a complaint ticket number). Write this down or screenshot it immediately.
4. Step 4: The operator initiates re-verification. The DoT forwards your report to the specific telecom operator (Jio, Airtel, BSNL, Vi, etc.) that issued the flagged connection.
5. Step 5: The subscriber on the flagged number is contacted. If the person cannot prove legitimate ownership with valid KYC documents, the connection is disconnected.

What if the operator does not act? Every licensed telecom operator is required to have a published nodal officer. If 60 days pass without resolution, file a written complaint with the nodal officer and keep a copy. You can also escalate to the Department of Telecommunications or file an RTI to ask what action was taken - see the RTI section below.

Once you have reported a SIM as “This is not my number,” the deactivation process runs automatically. But you can take additional steps to protect yourself:

1. Report to your telecom operator directly. Call the customer care of the operator that issued the fraudulent SIM and file a complaint referencing your TAFCOP reference ID.
2. File a cybercrime complaint. If you suspect the unauthorised SIM has been used for fraud (calls, UPI scams, OTP interception), report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. See our guide on the 1930 helpline cyber fraud script for what to say.
3. Inform your bank. If your bank account, UPI ID, or any financial service is linked to your Aadhaar or mobile number, notify the bank immediately. For the full recovery process, see UPI fraud recovery and AePS Aadhaar fraud recovery.
4. Lock your Aadhaar biometric. If identity theft is suspected, lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the UIDAI portal or mAadhaar app to prevent further misuse. See Aadhaar biometric lock guide.
5. Block the SIM itself. If the fraudulent SIM was physically issued and you can identify it, ask the operator to block it. For blocking your own lost or stolen SIM, see block a lost or stolen SIM card.

The complaint is sent to the relevant telecom operator, which then re-verifies the subscriber on that connection. The official re-verification timeline confirmed on sancharsaathi.gov.in is:

• Outgoing services on the flagged number are suspended within 30 days.
• Incoming services are suspended within 45 days.
• The connection is fully disconnected within 60 days if it fails re-verification.

An additional 30 days may be allowed where the subscriber on that number is on international roaming, has a physical disability, or is hospitalised.

If the connection was genuinely yours but registered incorrectly (for example, a retailer mis-linked it to your ID), the subscriber on that number can contact their operator during re-verification to correct the records.

Log back into tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in using the same mobile number and OTP. Go to the status section to check the reference ID you received when you submitted the report. Status categories you may see include: “Under Process,” “Re-verification Initiated,” and “Disconnected.”

Detailed status meanings:

If the status has not changed after 60 days, raise a written complaint with the Telecom Service Provider's nodal officer. Every licensed telecom operator is required to have a published nodal officer contact and must respond to complaints in writing. Not sure which regulator to approach? See our which regulator to complain to guide.

Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (which came into effect from June 26, 2024), an individual subscriber can hold a maximum of 9 mobile connections across all telecom operators in India. In Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and the North-Eastern states, the limit is 6 connections.

If the TAFCOP dashboard shows you are over this limit and you did not take those connections, that is a strong signal of identity misuse. Report the excess connections immediately as “This is not my number.”

The DoT has also mandated that telecom operators verify all existing connections against Aadhaar and flag those exceeding the limit. Operators that fail to enforce the limit face penalties under the Act.

India's telecom operations are divided into 22 licensed service areas (circles). The Department of Telecommunications publishes data on SIM disconnections from TAFCOP and Sanchar Saathi actions. Below is a summary of the top 10 telecom circles by mobile subscriber base and known SIM fraud activity as of 2025-2026 reporting:

No matter which circle you are in, the TAFCOP process is the same - the portal is national and covers all 22 circles. The key is to check regularly, especially if you live in a high-risk circle.

TAFCOP catches SIMs registered in your name, but SIM swap fraud is different - a fraudster convinces your operator to issue a duplicate SIM on your number, redirecting your calls and OTPs to them. Here is how to protect yourself:

1. Enable SIM swap alerts. Most operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) send an SMS alert when a SIM swap or port-out request is made on your number. If you receive such an alert and did not initiate it, call your operator immediately.
2. Do not share your 20-digit SIM number (ICCID). This number is printed on the SIM card and the packaging. Fraudsters use it to request a duplicate SIM.
3. Be cautious of calls asking you to press numbers or share OTPs. Fraudsters posing as TRAI or DoT officials may claim your SIM will be deactivated. See WhatsApp OTP fraud explained and TRAI AI spam detection for common patterns.
4. Set a SIM PIN. Both Android and iOS support SIM PIN locking. If your phone is stolen, the SIM cannot be used in another device without the PIN.
5. Monitor your bank SMS alerts. If you suddenly stop receiving SMS from your bank, it may mean your SIM has been swapped. Contact your bank and operator immediately.
6. Register for DND. While DND does not prevent fraud, it reduces unwanted calls that can lead to phishing. See TRAI DND complaint guide.

For the full recovery process if SIM swap has already happened, see SIM swap fraud recovery. For how SMS template tagging helps prevent phishing, see TRAI SMS template variable tagging.

If someone called you, sent SMS, or used WhatsApp pretending to be DoT, a bank, TRAI, or a government official - and used a mobile number you believe is fraudulent - you can also report it separately using Chakshu, also on the Sanchar Saathi portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/. Chakshu is specifically for reporting suspected fraud communications. You can report a call, SMS, or WhatsApp message received within the last 30 days.

According to a government statement in the Rajya Sabha on February 5, 2026, 7.7 lakh suspected fraud communications have been reported via Chakshu since launch (over 5.19 lakh in 2025 alone). Action taken as a result: 39.43 lakh mobile connections disconnected, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets blacklisted, and 1.31 lakh SMS templates blocked.

You can also report unsolicited commercial communications through the UCC portal (ucc.gov.in) managed by TRAI. For distinguishing genuine 1600-series calls from spam, see TRAI 1600 series insurance calls.

For understanding the new WhatsApp-Telegram SIM binding rules that affect fraud detection, see WhatsApp-Telegram SIM binding rules.

If you have reported an unauthorised SIM via TAFCOP but no action has been taken, or if you want to know how a SIM was issued in your name without your knowledge, you have the right to file an RTI application.

Who to file the RTI with:

1. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) - for information about TAFCOP, Sanchar Saathi, and SIM issuance policies. The DoT is a public authority under the RTI Act.
2. Your telecom operator's CPIO - for information specific to how a SIM was issued on your identity. Note: private telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi) may not be directly covered under RTI, but the DoT can be asked to direct them to provide the information.
3. TRAI - for regulatory and policy information about SIM verification norms.

What to ask in the RTI:

1. “On what date and with what identity proof was mobile number [number] issued in my name?”
2. “What KYC documents were submitted for the issuance of SIM bearing number [number]?”
3. “What action has been taken on my TAFCOP complaint reference ID [ID]?”
4. “How many SIMs are currently registered on the Aadhaar linked to mobile number [number]?”

How to file:

1. File online through the central RTI portal at rtionline.gov.in (fee: Rs. 10 for central public authorities).
2. File by post with a printed application to the CPIO of the relevant public authority.
3. The public authority must respond within 30 days (48 hours if the matter concerns life or liberty).

For step-by-step guidance on drafting and filing an effective RTI, see how to write an effective RTI application. For understanding what information RTI can get you, see what information can RTI get.

TAFCOP and Chakshu are preventive tools. If a SIM registered in your name was already used for financial fraud or to harass someone, you need to act on multiple fronts:

1. File a cybercrime complaint at cybercrime.gov.in or call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. See 1930 helpline script.
2. File a police First Information Report (FIR) at your local police station. If the police refuse to register an FIR, see Section 156(3) CrPC complaint for your legal options.
3. Inform your bank immediately if the number is linked to any account or UPI ID. See UPI fraud recovery.
4. Keep the TAFCOP reference ID, the FIR number, and all bank/UPI communication as evidence.

For the complete recovery process after SIM swap fraud, see SIM swap fraud recovery. For blocking a lost or stolen SIM card itself, see Block a lost or stolen SIM card. For SIM KYC or swap procedures with your operator, see SIM stopped, swap, and KYC recovery. For AI-driven voice scams, see AI voice scam recovery.

• Using unofficial lookalike sites. The only official portal is tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in. Sites with similar names that ask for Aadhaar number or OTP directly are fraudulent.
• Sharing the OTP with anyone. TAFCOP only ever sends an OTP to YOUR mobile number and asks you to enter it yourself on the portal. No government caller will ask you to read the OTP aloud.
• Reporting “Not Required” when you mean fraud. “Not Required” is for connections you acknowledge and want closed voluntarily. “This is not my number” is for connections you did not authorise - the operator investigation is deeper in that case.
• Not saving the reference ID. Once you leave the portal session, the reference ID is your only way to track the request. Screenshot it or write it down before closing.
• Assuming the portal shows SIM cards linked to Aadhaar directly. TAFCOP shows connections linked to the Aadhaar that is associated with the mobile number you log in with. If you have multiple Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers, check each one separately.
• Ignoring the problem after reporting. The 60-day timeline is the maximum, not the guaranteed resolution date. Follow up using the TAFCOP status check and escalate to the nodal officer if needed.
• Forgetting to lock Aadhaar biometrics. If someone used your Aadhaar to take a SIM, they may attempt other identity-based fraud. Lock biometrics via UIDAI immediately.

Yes. There is no fee to log in, view your connections, or submit a report. The portal is operated by the Department of Telecommunications. You only need a working mobile number to receive the login OTP.

The Telecommunications Act 2023 sets the national individual limit at 9 connections (6 in J&K, Assam, and the North-East). If the dashboard shows more than the allowed limit and you did not take those connections, mark the extras as “This is not my number” immediately. Telecom operators are required to enforce these limits and re-verify connections that exceed them.

Log back into tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in with the same mobile number and check status using the reference ID. The official timeline is: outgoing services suspended within 30 days, incoming within 45 days, and full disconnection within 60 days if the connection fails re-verification.

Only the subscriber verified via OTP on the portal can submit reports. Since the OTP is sent to your own registered number, another person cannot file a report on your connections without access to your phone. If your SIM is blocked for another reason, contact your telecom operator's nodal officer directly for re-verification.

Select “Not Required” for that number. The operator initiates re-verification. If that number is no longer actively used in your name, it will be disconnected. This is also good practice to reduce your SIM count before it reaches the legal limit.

TAFCOP lets you see and report mobile connections registered in your name. CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) lets you block a specific mobile handset by its IMEI number if it is lost or stolen - regardless of which SIM is in it. Both tools are on sancharsaathi.gov.in. Use TAFCOP for SIM identity misuse; use CEIR for a stolen handset. For IMEI database checks, see used phone IMEI database check.

TAFCOP is designed for individual subscribers whose SIMs are linked to their personal Aadhaar. Corporate or business connections issued under a company name with a PAN card or GST registration will not appear on an individual's TAFCOP dashboard. If you hold both personal and corporate connections, only the personal ones linked to your Aadhaar will show.

No. TAFCOP requires OTP verification on the mobile number itself. You can only check connections linked to the Aadhaar associated with the number you log in with. You cannot check another person's connections without their phone. This is a privacy protection built into the system.

This can happen if your SIMs were issued using a different identity document (e.g., a company PAN, voter ID, or a family member's ID) rather than your Aadhaar. Contact your telecom operator to verify which identity document your SIM is linked to. If your Aadhaar was deactivated, see Aadhaar deactivated or suspended reactivation guide.

There is no mandatory frequency, but checking every 3-6 months is good practice - especially if you have recently shared your Aadhaar for any KYC purpose, applied for a loan, or visited a telecom retailer. The check takes under two minutes and is completely free.

As of 2026, TAFCOP is accessible through any mobile browser at tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in. The Sanchar Saathi portal is mobile-responsive and works on Android and iOS browsers. There is no separate app required.

• SIM Swap Fraud Recovery
• Block a Lost or Stolen SIM Card
• SIM Stopped, Swap, and KYC Recovery
• Unknown Mobile Numbers in My Name on Sanchar Saathi
• SIM Swap Fraud Where Telecom Is Not at Fault
• Used Phone IMEI Database Check 2025
• 1930 Helpline Cyber Fraud Script
• WhatsApp OTP Fraud Explained
• UPI Fraud Recovery
• AePS Aadhaar Fraud Recovery
• Aadhaar Biometric Locked or Authentication Failed
• TRAI DND: Stop Spam Calls and SMS
• Which Regulator to Complain To
• How to Write an Effective RTI Application
• Section 156(3) CrPC: When Police Refuse FIR

Want to write a formal complaint or use RTI to track what action was taken? The RTI Playbook walks you through the full process step by step.

• Used phone IMEI database check 2025
• TRAI AI spam detection and blocking 2026
• WhatsApp-Telegram SIM binding rule India 2026
• TRAI SMS template variable tagging anti-phishing 2026
• Broadband and mobile outage rebate TRAI QoS 2024
• AI voice scam recovery