Is Your PAN Card Being Misused? Here’s How to Find Out – Step-by-Step Guide
In today’s digital age, identity theft and financial fraud are rising at an alarming rate. One of the most common victims of misuse is your PAN (Permanent Account Number) card—a critical document linked to all your major financial transactions. Many people are discovering loans, credit cards, or EMIs under their names that they never applied for. If this has happened to you, your PAN card might have been misused—and it's time to act fast.
Let’s understand what PAN card misuse is, how it can affect your financial standing, and most importantly, how you can check if your PAN card has been used without your knowledge.
What Happens When Your PAN is Misused?
Imagine this:
You receive a call from the bank confirming a loan you never applied for.
Your credit card limit is suddenly reduced.
An EMI starts deducting from your salary without any notice.
Such incidents are becoming more frequent. Victims are often left shocked and confused because they never authorized these actions. In most such cases, the root cause is unauthorized use of PAN details.
Since your PAN is required for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, filing taxes, opening bank accounts, or even getting a SIM card, it's stored in multiple databases. If it lands in the wrong hands, it can lead to serious financial fraud.
How Can You Check If Your PAN is Being Misused?
Thankfully, the Income Tax Department provides an easy way to monitor the financial activities linked to your PAN. Here’s a simple, step-by-step process:
Step-by-Step Guide to Check PAN Usage Online:
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Visit the official website
Go to the Income Tax e-filing portal. -
Login/Register
If you already have an account, log in using your credentials. If not, register using your PAN number. -
Go to ‘My Account’ Section
Once logged in, click on the "My Account" tab on the top menu. -
Select ‘Annual Information Statement (AIS)’
Here, you will see a comprehensive summary of your financial activities, including loans, credit card usage, high-value transactions, and more. -
Download and Review Your AIS
Check the AIS to ensure all entries—like loans, credit card applications, and bank transactions—match your actual activity.
What to Do If You Spot Unauthorized Activity?
If you notice any suspicious entries or unknown loans in your AIS report:
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Contact the lender immediately
Call the financial institution or bank mentioned and report the issue. -
Lodge a complaint with the credit bureau
Reach out to agencies like CIBIL, Experian, or Equifax to dispute the fraudulent account or loan. -
File a police report or cybercrime complaint
Register a formal complaint to prevent further misuse and for legal protection. -
Alert the Income Tax Department
You can raise a grievance through the e-filing portal.
Tips to Prevent PAN Card Misuse
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Never share your PAN photocopy without masking the number (e.g., XXXXX1234X).
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Avoid uploading your PAN on unsecured or unverified websites.
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Shred documents with PAN details before disposal.
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Monitor your credit score and financial statements regularly.
Final Thoughts
Your PAN card is more than just a tax document—it’s your financial identity. Misuse can not only lead to fraudulent loans but also severely damage your credit score and financial reputation. By regularly monitoring your PAN activity and staying alert, you can safeguard yourself from such fraud.
Don’t wait for a shocking bank call to find out something’s wrong. Check your PAN usage today and stay protected.
