---
title: "Anyone can look up my vehicle number and get my name and address"
description: "Apps and websites show owner details from a registration number. Your rights, how to fight it step by step, and what to do if it is fake."
url: "https://dpdpr.in/rights/scenarios/vehicle-number-lookup/"
canonical: "https://dpdpr.in/rights/scenarios/vehicle-number-lookup/"
site: "dpdpr.in"
updated: "2026-11-02"
disclaimer: "Independent reference, not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Government of India or MeitY."
---

# Anyone can look up my vehicle number and get my name and address

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.

"A stranger found my address from my number plate using an app. Is that legal?"

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

MoRTH's data sharing policy says citizen searches on its system show only non-personal details with the owner masked, limited lookups and an OTP. Private companies can get personal owner data only after the owner's consent through an Aadhaar OTP. If an app shows your name and address, report it.

**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 have your vehicle owner data protected.** MoRTH's policy says citizen searches show only non-personal details with the owner masked, and private companies need your consent through an Aadhaar based OTP for personal data.
- **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 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](#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. **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.
3. **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.
4. **Write to the company's grievance officer asking it to stop and to name its source.**
What to write: Letter 2 below: stop all marketing, delete my number from your lead lists, and tell me where you got it.
What to attach: Screenshots with dates and numbers.
What you get back: An acknowledgement.
How long to wait: 30 days, or the time its policy states.
5. **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.
6. **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.
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

- Advocacy groups used RTI requests to ask how bulk data was shared.
- The reports we read did not show a resolution for individuals.

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

- [HT reported vehicle owners' personal data being sold on Telegram through unauthorised access, based on RTI work.](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/vehicle-personal-data-telegram-sold-unauthorised-access-rti-internet-freedom-foundation-101792561385512.html) (hindustantimes.com)

**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

- **MoRTH Policy for Data Sharing from the National Transport Repository:** masking for citizen search; consent through Aadhaar OTP for private sector access to personal data.
- **TRAI TCCCPR, 2018 (amended 2025):** BLOCK 5 covers consumer goods and automobiles.
- **IRDAI 2024 regulations** if the calls are from insurers or brokers.

### What the company must do, and by when

- Stop calling once you have registered DND or withdrawn consent.
- Tell you, if you ask, where it got your number.
- From 13 May 2027: erase your data once the purpose is over or you withdraw consent (section 8(7)), and answer for its lead vendors (section 8(1)).

### 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, \[Dealer, manufacturer or service centre name\] Subject: Please confirm whether this person works for you Dear Sir or Madam, I am your customer. My vehicle registration number: \[number\]. 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 dealer. They knew my \[list the details they knew\]. Please confirm in writing within 7 days: 1. Whether this person is your employee, agent, insurer, finance partner, lead vendor 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, \[Dealer, manufacturer or service centre name\] 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, insurer, finance partner, lead vendor, 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. MoRTH's data sharing policy says private companies may get personal vehicle owner data from the national transport database only after the owner's consent through an Aadhaar OTP, and that citizens searching any vehicle see only non-personal details with the owner masked. 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](https://dpdpr.in/rights/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](https://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](https://www.meity.gov.in/documents/act-and-policies/information-technology-intermediary-guidelines-and-digital-media-ethics-code-rules-2021-it-rules-2021-IjM5QjMtQWa), [Grievance Appellate Committee (IT Rules, 2021): FAQ](https://gac.gov.in/CMSData/FAQs).

Complain about a Government office on CPGRAMS

### Complain about a Government office on CPGRAMS

CPGRAMS is the Government of India's public grievance portal. It is connected to all central Ministries and Departments and to the States. It does not take RTI matters, court cases or religious matters.

**Keep this ready before you start:**

- Your mobile number and email to register.
- The office or scheme name, your application or reference number, and dates.
- Copies of your earlier letters, as a PDF.

1. Open [pgportal.gov.in](https://pgportal.gov.in/), or the CPGRAMS app, or CPGRAMS inside the UMANG app.
2. Register first. Only registered users can lodge a grievance.
3. Log in and choose to lodge a grievance.
4. Choose the Ministry, Department or State, and the subject.
5. Write what happened, what you asked for, and what you want now. Attach your papers.
6. Submit. Save the unique registration number.
7. Track it with **View Status** and the registration number.
8. The CPGRAMS FAQ says the time limit is 21 days. If there is a delay, the office should send an interim reply.
9. When the grievance is closed, give your rating. If you rate it **Poor**, an appeal option opens. File the appeal within 30 days.
10. No portal? You can send the grievance by post on plain paper, or through a Common Service Centre.

Checked on 1 November 2026 against: [CPGRAMS: Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System](https://pgportal.gov.in/), [CPGRAMS FAQ (registration number, 21 days, appeal within 30 days)](https://www.pgportal.gov.in/Home/Faq).

## Related guides

- [\*\*Vehicles: dealers, registration data and car rentals\*\*Car dealers, service centres, vehicle lookups, FASTag messages, renewal calls and self drive rentals.](https://dpdpr.in/rights/vehicles/)
- [\*\*Government services and Aadhaar\*\*Aadhaar misuse, Government offices, masked Aadhaar, CPGRAMS and RTI.](https://dpdpr.in/rights/government-aadhaar/)

See also [when a platform shares your data with a third party](https://dpdpr.in/rights/platforms-and-third-parties/) and the [escalation ladder](https://dpdpr.in/rights/escalation-ladder/).

## Official sources

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

- [MoRTH: Policy for Data Sharing from the National Transport Repository](https://parivahan.gov.in/sites/default/files/policy/data-sharing-policy.pdf)
- [TRAI: TCCCPR (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (complaint within 7 days)](https://trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/Regulation_12022025.pdf)
- [Chakshu: report suspected fraud or spam (Sanchar Saathi)](https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/)
- [IRDAI consolidated regulations, including the Protection of Policyholders' Interests Regulations, 2024](https://irdai.gov.in/consolidated-gazette-notified-regulations)
- [Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (MeitY copy of the Gazette)](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/Digital-Personal-Data-Protection-Act-2023.pdf)