Can Someone Withdraw Money From Your Bank Account Using Only Your Aadhaar Number?

Amid the growing number of financial scams in India, concerns about fraud through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) have continued to worry many people. One of the most common questions is whether a fraudster can withdraw money from someone's bank account simply by knowing their Aadhaar number.

To address these concerns, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clarified that merely knowing an Aadhaar number or an Aadhaar-linked bank account number is not enough to withdraw money. "Just by knowing your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar-linked bank account, no one can withdraw money from your Aadhaar-linked bank account," UIDAI stated.

The authority emphasised that this is not a failure of the Aadhaar system itself but rather a misuse of Aadhaar-based authentication by cybercriminals who are increasingly using sophisticated digital techniques to commit fraud. UIDAI further explained, "As in bank for withdrawing money, your signature, debit card, PIN, OTP, etc, is required, similarly for withdrawing money from your Aadhaar-linked bank account through Aadhaar, your fingerprint, IRIS or OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile will be required."

While this clarification offers reassurance, it is still important to understand how AePS fraud works and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

What Is An AePS Scam?

The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), was introduced to make banking services more accessible by enabling financial transactions using an Aadhaar number and biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or iris scans.

However, fraudsters have found ways to exploit the system. They often obtain Aadhaar details and other personal information through data breaches, phishing websites, fake calls, or exposure on social media. Using advanced technologies, including AI-powered tools, criminals may attempt to create fake digital identities or manipulate biometric data to bypass authentication systems.

In many cases, victims remain unaware of the fraud until money has already been withdrawn from their accounts. Since AePS transactions rely on Aadhaar details and biometric verification, compromised personal information can significantly increase the risk of unauthorised transactions.

How To Avoid AePS Scam?

Lock your biometrics - UIDAI advises Aadhaar holders to lock their biometrics whenever they are not actively using Aadhaar-based services. This prevents anyone from using your fingerprints or iris data for authentication.

Monitor your Aadhaar activity regularly - Log in to the UIDAI portal periodically and review your authentication history. Checking recent authentication requests can help you quickly spot any suspicious activity.

What To Do If You Become A Victim Of AePS Scam?

Contact your bank immediately - Call your bank's customer care helpline or visit the nearest branch to report the unauthorised transaction.

Request a temporary account block - Ask the bank to temporarily freeze or block your account to prevent further unauthorised transactions. You should also change your ATM PIN, internet banking password, and any other account-related credentials without delay.

Report the fraud to authorities - File a complaint with the local police and report the incident through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.