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Am I covered?

Police caught someone selling personal data of crores of Indians. Is mine in it?

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.

"The news says police caught people selling data of crores of Indians. How do I know if mine was part of it?"

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

This is a reported case, not a list you can check. Assume your number and basic details may be known to fraudsters. Lock down your accounts and be extra careful with calls.

Reported cases. This page rests on a small number of public reports. It describes reported cases, not a proven pattern.

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 ask the company what it holds and who it shared it with. Companies already name a grievance officer under the 2011 SPDI Rules.
  • Right to compensation if a company is careless with sensitive data (passwords, bank or card details, health records, biometrics and similar). IT Act section 43A, with the 2011 SPDI Rules, until 13 May 2027.
  • 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.
  • Right to police help. The police must take your complaint about threats, stalking or harassment. You can also report online at cybercrime.gov.in.
  • 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. Write to the company's grievance officer.
    What to write: Letter 2 below.
    What to attach: Evidence.
    What you get back: An acknowledgement.
    How long to wait: 30 days.
  3. Send one written follow up to the grievance officer.
    What to write: Your complaint number, the date you complained, and: "I have had no reply (or an incomplete reply). Please reply in writing within 7 days, or I will escalate to the National Consumer Helpline."
    What to attach: Your first complaint and its acknowledgement.
    What you get back: Proof that you gave the company a fair chance. Regulators and Commissions ask for this.
    How long to wait: 7 days, then go to the next step.
  4. 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 used your data to cheat or threaten you.
    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.
  5. 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.
  6. File a consumer case for deficiency in service on e-Jagriti.
    What to write: Who you are, the company, what service you used, what went wrong, the loss and distress caused, and the compensation you claim.
    What to attach: Everything above: evidence, letters, replies, helpline docket.
    What you get back: A case number and hearing dates. You can argue the case yourself. The District Commission hears cases where the value of what you paid is up to Rs 50 lakh, the State Commission up to Rs 2 crore, and the National Commission above that (2021 Rules).
    How long to wait: File within 2 years of the problem.
  7. 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

  • Police investigation led to an arrest in the reported case.

Based on reports on public forums, and the news reports listed below. 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.

News reports

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.

Prevent it next time

  • Turn on alerts for every bank transaction.
  • Lock your Aadhaar biometrics.
  • Check Sanchar Saathi for SIMs in your name.

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

  • SPDI Rules, 2011 and IT Act section 43A for sensitive data.
  • IT Act section 72A for disclosure in breach of contract.
  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for deficiency in service.

What the company must do, and by when

  • Answer your written request.
  • Stop the misuse.
  • From 13 May 2027: tell you who received your data (section 11) and report breaches (section 8(6)).

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, [Company name]
Subject: Please confirm whether this person works for you

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am your customer. My customer or account 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 company. They knew my [list the details they knew].

Please confirm in writing within 7 days:
1. Whether this person is your employee, agent, vendor, 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, [Company 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, vendor, 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.

Many companies already name a grievance officer for data matters under the IT Act's 2011 SPDI Rules.

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 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:

File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in

File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in

The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal takes complaints about online fraud, hacking, fake profiles, harassment and more. Your complaint goes to the police of your State or Union Territory. The screen names below come from the portal's FAQ and the Ministry of Home Affairs citizen manual. The portal can change. If a screen looks different, follow the words on the screen.

Keep this ready before you start:

  • Date and time of the incident.
  • Incident details in your own words. The portal checklist asks for at least 200 characters and no special characters such as # $ @ ^ * ` ~ | !
  • A photo or scan of a national ID (Voter ID, Driving Licence, Passport, PAN or Aadhaar) in .jpg, .jpeg or .png, not more than 5 MB.
  • For money fraud: bank or wallet name, 12 digit transaction ID or UTR, date and amount.
  • Evidence files such as screenshots, not more than 10 MB each.
  • If known: the other person's mobile number, email, bank account, website link or social media handle.
  1. Open cybercrime.gov.in in a browser.
  2. Click File a complaint.
  3. Read the message. Tick I Accept.
  4. Click Report Other Cyber Crime. (For sexual content involving women or children, use the women and child section instead.)
  5. Type your name in User Name. Type your mobile number.
  6. Click Get OTP. Type the OTP you receive. It is valid for 30 minutes.
  7. Fill the security answer. Click Submit.
  8. In Incident details, choose the Category of complaint. For money loss choose Online Financial Fraud. For fake profiles or harassment choose Online and Social Media Related Crime.
  9. Choose the Sub-Category that fits best.
  10. Enter the approximate date and time. If you are late, fill Reason for delay in reporting.
  11. Choose Where did the incident occur? (for example a phone call, SMS, WhatsApp, a website or an app).
  12. Upload your evidence files.
  13. Write what happened in the details box. Say who contacted you, from which number, what they said, what you shared or paid, and when.
  14. Click Save and Next.
  15. Add suspect details if you have them: name, mobile number, bank account, UPI ID or website. Click Save & Next.
  16. Fill your own details and address. Choose your State, District and Police Station.
  17. Upload your ID proof. Click Save & Preview.
  18. Check everything. Tick I Agree. Click Confirm & Submit.
  19. Write down the Complaint ID shown on screen. You also get it by SMS and email. It is a complaint number, not an FIR number.
  20. Click Download PDF and save the file in a safe folder.
  21. To check progress later, log in the same way and click Check Status.
  22. If you get no action, or are not happy with what the police did, contact the cyber crime grievance officer of your State or Union Territory listed on the portal. You can also visit your local police station with the PDF and ask for an FIR.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: FAQ, National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: checklist before filing, I4C (Ministry of Home Affairs): National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and 1930.

Check which SIMs are in your name (Sanchar Saathi)

Check which SIMs are in your name (Sanchar Saathi)

You can see every mobile connection taken on your identity, and report the ones that are not yours. An individual can hold at most 9 connections in total (6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North East).

Keep this ready before you start:

  • Your own mobile number for the OTP.
  1. Open tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in, or in the Sanchar Saathi app choose Know Mobile Connections In Your Name.
  2. Log in with the OTP sent to your number.
  3. Look at the list of numbers shown.
  4. Against a number that is not yours, choose This is not my number. Against an old number you no longer need, choose Not required.
  5. Click Report.
  6. Take a screenshot of the list and of the request number shown.
  7. What happens next, per Sanchar Saathi: the number is sent for re-verification. Outgoing service is suspended within 30 days, incoming within 45 days, and the connection is cut within 60 days if re-verification fails.
  8. If the SIM was taken with your documents by someone else, also file a police or cybercrime.gov.in complaint. Sanchar Saathi says a police complaint is lodged where connections were taken on forged documents.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: Sanchar Saathi portal and FAQ (Department of Telecommunications), Know Mobile Connections In Your Name (Sanchar Saathi).

Check and lock your Aadhaar

Check and lock your Aadhaar

You can see every time your Aadhaar was used for authentication, and lock your biometrics or your whole Aadhaar number. You need the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

Keep this ready before you start:

  • Aadhaar number or Virtual ID (VID).
  • The phone with your Aadhaar registered mobile number.
  1. Open myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in, or the official Aadhaar app.
  2. Choose Aadhaar Authentication History. Enter your Aadhaar or VID and the OTP.
  3. Check each entry: the type, date and time, and the name of the agency (AUA) that asked.
  4. Take screenshots of any entry you do not recognise.
  5. To lock biometrics, use the biometric lock in the Aadhaar app or on the UIDAI website. Unlock only when you need to use your fingerprint or face.
  6. To lock your whole Aadhaar number you first need a 16 digit VID. Get one by SMS: send GVID, a space, and the last 4 or 8 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947 (for example GVID 1234).
  7. Call UIDAI on 1947 (voice menu 24x7; staff 7 AM to 11 PM Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM Sunday), email [email protected], or use Grievance and Feedback on the UIDAI website.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: UIDAI: Aadhaar authentication history, UIDAI: Aadhaar Online Services (biometric lock, Aadhaar lock, VID by SMS), UIDAI: grievance channels (1947, email, portal).

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