dpdpr.in
Am I covered?

Brokers posted my property without asking me

Plain-language help for ordinary people. General information, not legal advice. Helplines, portals and screen names were checked against official Government and regulator pages on 1 November 2026. Portals change: if a screen looks different, follow the words on the screen and the official guide linked in each step.

"My flat is listed by three brokers with photos from inside my home. I never gave anyone permission."

The situation in a citizen's own words, paraphrased from public reports. No names or personal details.

Report each listing to the portal. Under the IT Rules the portal must act on your grievance. For registered projects, brokers must be RERA registered.

Safety first. Threatened or in danger: call 181 (women) or go to the nearest police station. Lost money: call 1930 at once.

Your rights

  • Right to a platform grievance officer. Online platforms must acknowledge in 24 hours and resolve in 7 days, and act on impersonation or privacy complaints in 36 hours (IT Rules, 2021, as amended in 2026).
  • Right to stop marketing calls and SMS. Register DND by sending FULLY BLOCK to 1909. A spam complaint made within 7 days is valid and your telecom company must act on it (TRAI TCCCPR, 2018, as amended in 2025).
  • Right to deal with a registered agent for registered projects. Under RERA sections 9 and 10, such agents must be registered with the State RERA, quote their registration number, and avoid unfair trade practices.
  • Right to withdraw consent (from 13 May 2027). Withdrawing must be as easy as giving consent, and the company must then stop processing (DPDP section 6(4) and 6(6)).
  • Right to compensation for deficiency in service. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 you can claim compensation before a Consumer Commission. File within 2 years.
  • DPDP rights from 13 May 2027. You can ask what data the company holds and who it shared it with (section 11), ask for correction or erasure (section 12), and complain to the company, then to the Data Protection Board (sections 13 and 27). The company answers for its processors (section 8(1)).

How to fight it, step by step

One action per step. Each step says what to write, what to attach, what you get back, and how long to wait before the next step. If the person turns out to be fake, skip to If it is fake.

  1. Save the evidence before you block or delete anything.
    What to write: A short note with the date, time, number used, and exactly what was said or what details they knew.
    What to attach: Screenshots of the call log, SMS, WhatsApp chats (with the number visible), and any payment screen.
    What you get back: A record that cannot later be denied.
    How long to wait: Do this the same day.
  2. Use the portal's own report or privacy option for the listing or your account.
    What to write: The listing link and what is wrong.
    What to attach: Screenshots.
    What you get back: A ticket or report number.
    How long to wait: 24 hours for acknowledgement.
  3. Write to the portal's grievance officer (shown in its terms or privacy policy).
    What to write: Letter 2 below: remove the listing or my number, stop sharing it with brokers, and name who received it.
    What to attach: Ticket number and evidence.
    What you get back: Acknowledgement within 24 hours.
    How long to wait: 7 days.
  4. Appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee on gac.gov.in if the portal does not resolve it.
    What to write: The portal's decision and why it is wrong.
    What to attach: Your complaint and the reply.
    What you get back: An appeal number.
    How long to wait: Within 30 days of the portal's reply.
  5. Register DND: send FULLY BLOCK to 1909 from the number being called.
    What to write: FULLY BLOCK (or BLOCK followed by a category number).
    What to attach: Nothing.
    What you get back: A reply SMS from your operator.
    How long to wait: TRAI's notice allows up to 7 days for DND to take effect.
  6. Complain about each marketing call or SMS on Chakshu (Report Spam (UCC)) or by SMS to 1909.
    What to write: The UCC, the sender's number, the date.
    What to attach: A screenshot of the call log or SMS.
    What you get back: A complaint ID from your operator.
    How long to wait: Do it within 7 days of the call; after that it is only a report.
  7. Complain to your State RERA about an agent selling in a registered project without registration or with unfair practices.
    What to write: The agent's name, the project and what they did.
    What to attach: Messages and adverts.
    What you get back: A complaint number.
    How long to wait: As the State RERA sets.
  8. File a police complaint, or ask for an FIR.
    What to write: A signed complaint to the officer in charge of your local police station, or online at cybercrime.gov.in. Say what happened, when, the numbers used, and that someone took money for a fake listing or misused your documents.
    What to attach: Printouts of your screenshots and a copy on a pen drive. Your ID proof.
    What you get back: An FIR copy, or at least a written acknowledgement of your complaint. Online, you get an acknowledgement number.
    How long to wait: Do this at once if you feel unsafe. Do not wait for the company.
  9. Call the National Consumer Helpline on 1915, or file on consumerhelpline.gov.in.
    What to write: The company's name, your complaint number with it, what went wrong, and what you want (for example: action against the person, written confirmation, compensation).
    What to attach: Your complaint, the company's replies, and screenshots.
    What you get back: A docket number. The helpline takes your complaint up with the company. It is free and comes before a court case.
    How long to wait: Give it a few weeks. If nothing changes, go to the Consumer Commission.
  10. Get a lawyer if the stakes are high.
    What to write: Nothing yet. Take your full file to the lawyer.
    What to attach: All of the above.
    What you get back: Advice on a legal notice, a claim before your State's IT Adjudicating Officer, or a civil suit for damages.
    How long to wait: Before you send any legal notice or file a suit. This page is not legal advice.

What people tried and what worked

  • People reported the listings. The reports did not say what worked.

Based on reports on public forums. Paraphrased, with no usernames or personal details. What worked for one person may not work for you; the numbered steps above are the official route.

Not legal advice. This page explains the rules in plain words so you can act. Consult a lawyer before you sue anyone or send a legal notice. Laws and portals change; check the linked official source.

Step 1: stay safe and find out who it is

  1. Do not share an OTP, PIN, password or card number.
  2. Ask for their name, company, role and ID. Write it down.
  3. Hang up and call the company on a number you find yourself, on its official website or app.
  4. Ask whether this person works for the company or a partner. Ask for a written answer (Letter 1 below).

If it is genuine: hold the company accountable

Which rules this may break

  • IT Rules, 2021 (amended 2026): grievance officer, 24 hours to acknowledge, 7 days to resolve; 36 hours for privacy complaints.
  • RERA, sections 9 and 10: registration and conduct of real estate agents in registered projects.
  • TRAI TCCCPR, 2018 (amended 2025): BLOCK 2 stops real estate marketing.
  • DPDP Act from 13 May 2027: purpose limitation and erasure.

What the company must do, and by when

  • Acknowledge your grievance in 24 hours and resolve it in 7 days.
  • Remove a listing posted without the owner's consent.
  • Stop sharing your number with brokers once you withdraw consent.
  • From 13 May 2027: erase your data on request when the purpose is over.

Letter 1: ask them to confirm who the caller is

Send it through the official channel. Keep a copy and the acknowledgement.

To: The Grievance Officer, [Property portal or agency name]
Subject: Please confirm whether this person works for you

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am your customer. My account or listing ID: [number].

On [date] at [time] I received a call or message from [phone number]. This is not an official number. The person said they were [name], [role or employee ID], from the portal. They knew my [list the details they knew].

Please confirm in writing within 7 days:
1. Whether this person is your employee, agent, broker, channel partner, agent or partner.
2. If yes, their name, role and the agency they work for.
3. Whether you allow staff or agents to contact customers from personal numbers.
4. If they are not connected with you, please say so, so I can report the number.

Name:
Registered mobile number:
Date:

Letter 2: ask how your data got there

To: The Grievance Officer, [Property portal or agency name]
Subject: How did my personal data reach a personal phone? Complaint number [if any]

Dear Sir or Madam,

On [date] a person connected with you, [name if known], contacted me from a personal number [number] and knew my [details]. [Describe what they did.]

Please tell me in writing:
1. What personal data about me this person could see, and through which system or app.
2. Whether you shared my data with any agency, broker, channel partner, agent, partner or processor, and their names.
3. How my data reached a personal phone or account outside your official systems.
4. What action you have taken against the person or agency, including suspension while you investigate.
5. What you have done to stop this happening again.
6. The name of every company you bought my number from or sold it to.
Real estate agents who sell in registered projects must register with the State RERA and must not use unfair trade practices (RERA, sections 9 and 10). Online portals must run a grievance officer under the IT Rules, 2021. Marketing calls are covered by TRAI's TCCCPR, 2018.

From 13 May 2027, sections 8 and 11 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 also apply.

Please reply within 30 days. If I do not hear from you, I will escalate to TRAI's complaint route through my telecom company, the National Consumer Helpline and, from 13 May 2027, the Data Protection Board.

Name:
Registered mobile number:
Date:

Evidence to keep

  • Screenshots of calls and messages with numbers, dates and times.
  • Order, booking, policy or account numbers.
  • Your complaint numbers and the company's replies.
  • A note of what the caller knew or did.

More in the evidence checklist.

Can you sue? What realistically happens

  • Consumer Commission: the most practical route for compensation. Cheap, no lawyer needed, file within 2 years.
  • IT Act section 43A (until 13 May 2027): if the company was negligent with sensitive personal data (passwords, bank or card details, health records, biometrics) and that caused wrongful loss or gain, it must pay compensation. Claims up to Rs 5 crore go to your State's IT Secretary acting as Adjudicating Officer (section 46); larger claims go to a court. Appeal within 45 days (section 57). Your phone number and address alone are not sensitive data under the 2011 Rules.
  • Civil suit for damages: possible, but slow and costly. Section 61 of the IT Act bars civil courts from matters the Adjudicating Officer can decide.
  • Police: only where there is a crime, for example a person who disclosed your information in breach of a contract to cause wrongful loss or gain (IT Act section 72A, up to 3 years), identity theft (66C), cheating by impersonation (66D), stalking or threats.
  • Realistic outcome: most people get results from a firm written complaint and the regulator or ombudsman. Courts take years. Consult a lawyer before suing.

From 13 May 2027: the Data Protection Board

From 13 May 2027 the DPDP Act's duties apply. The company is responsible for processing done by it or by anyone processing on its behalf (section 8(1)), may use a processor only under a valid contract (section 8(2)), must protect your data with reasonable security safeguards (section 8(5)), and must tell you and the Board about a breach (section 8(6)). It may use your data only for the lawful purpose you agreed to (sections 4 to 6). Section 44(2) removes IT Act section 43A from that date. Complain to the company first; if it does not resolve it, complain to the Data Protection Board. The Board can impose penalties up to Rs 250 crore, but penalties go to the Government (the Consolidated Fund of India, section 34), not to you. For money, use the ombudsman or the Consumer Commission. Appeals from the Board go to TDSAT within 60 days (section 29).

If it is fake: urgent steps

  1. If anyone asks for an OTP, PIN or payment, stop. It may be fraud.
  2. Call 1930 if money was lost, then file on cybercrime.gov.in.
  3. Report the number on Chakshu (Sanchar Saathi).

Step by step guides:

Complain to the app or platform, then the Grievance Appellate Committee

Complain to the app or platform, then the Grievance Appellate Committee

Social media and other online platforms must publish the name and contact of a Grievance Officer. The IT Rules, 2021 (as amended on 10 February 2026) set short time limits.

Keep this ready before you start:

  • Links (URLs) to the post, profile or account.
  • Screenshots with date and time.
  • Your own account name, and the complaint number from the platform.
  1. Find the platform's Grievance Officer. The rules require the name, contact and complaint method to be shown on the website or app, usually under Help, Legal or Grievance.
  2. Send your complaint there. Attach links and screenshots.
  3. The Grievance Officer must acknowledge it within 24 hours and resolve it within 7 days.
  4. For a request to remove content such as impersonation, privacy invasion or harassment, the limit is 36 hours.
  5. For content that shows your private body parts, nudity, sexual acts, or impersonates you (including morphed images), the platform must act within 2 hours of your complaint.
  6. If you are not satisfied, or get no reply within 30 days, appeal to the Grievance Appellate Committee within 30 days.
  7. Open gac.gov.in. Click Appellant Login (File appeal / View status).
  8. Agree to the privacy policy, enter your mobile number and the captcha, then click Send OTP.
  9. Fill the appeal and upload the Grievance Officer's reply or your complaint proof.
  10. The GAC order is uploaded on the site. You get an SMS and email. The platform must publish a compliance report.
  11. The GAC does not handle money fraud or cybercrime. For those use 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as amended up to 10 February 2026, Grievance Appellate Committee (IT Rules, 2021): FAQ.

Complain about a marketing call or SMS on Chakshu (within 7 days)

Complain about a marketing call or SMS on Chakshu (within 7 days)

Use this for unwanted marketing (spam) that is not a fraud. A complaint made within 7 days of the call or SMS is a valid complaint and the telecom company must act on it. After 7 days it only counts as a report.

Keep this ready before you start:

  • A screenshot of the call log or SMS.
  • The number or header (for example AB-XYZBNK-P) that sent it.
  • Date and time (within the last 7 days).
  • Your mobile number, your telecom company, your State and telecom circle.
  1. Open sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc or the Sanchar Saathi app.
  2. Under Report Spam (UCC), click Proceed.
  3. Choose the medium: Call or SMS.
  4. Choose the category, for example Banking/insurance/financial products/credit cards, Real Estate, Education or Health.
  5. Attach the screenshot.
  6. Type the sending number or header. (If the number is international, the form sends you to the fraud section instead.)
  7. Enter the date and time.
  8. Write the details in at least 10 characters. Add any numbers or links in the message.
  9. Enter your number. Choose your telecom company (Airtel, BSNL, RJIL, TATA or Vodafone Idea), your State and your circle.
  10. Type the captcha, verify your number with OTP, tick the declaration, click Preview, then Submit.
  11. Save the complaint ID you are given.
  12. Track it on your telecom company's page. Sanchar Saathi lists these: Airtel airtel.in/track-request, BSNL ucc-bsnl.co.in/customers, Jio jio.com/track_sr_status, Vi through the Vi app.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: Chakshu: report suspected fraud or spam (Sanchar Saathi), Sanchar Saathi portal and FAQ (Department of Telecommunications), TRAI: TCCCPR (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (complaint within 7 days).

Related guides

See also when a platform shares your data with a third party and the escalation ladder.

Official sources

Checked on 1 November 2026. Company pages are labelled as the company's own words.

On this page
  1. Your rights
  2. How to fight it
  3. What people tried
  4. Step 1: verify
  5. If genuine
  6. Letters
  7. Can you sue?
  8. Data Protection Board
  9. If fake
  10. Sources