Identity theft is the unauthorized use of someone else’s personal information—such as name, Aadhaar number, bank account, password, email, or biometric data—to impersonate them and gain financial, social, or legal benefits.
The intent behind identity theft is usually:
- Fraudulent financial transactions
- Gaining access to services (like SIM cards, bank accounts)
- Harassing or blackmailing victims
- Committing cyber crimes under someone else’s name
Identity Theft under IT Act, 2000
As per Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, 2000:
“Whoever fraudulently or dishonestly makes use of the electronic signature, password or any other unique identification feature of any other person shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years and fine up to ₹1 lakh.”
Types of Identity Theft
- Financial Identity Theft
Using stolen bank or credit card details for purchases or online fraud. - Criminal Identity Theft
Committing crimes in someone else’s name to avoid detection or prosecution. - Medical Identity Theft
Using another person’s health insurance or Aadhaar to get free treatment or medicine. - Social Identity Theft
Creating fake social media profiles or hacking existing accounts. - Synthetic Identity Theft
Creating a new fake identity using a combination of real and fake information (e.g., mixing someone’s Aadhaar with fake address).
Common Methods of Identity Theft
- Phishing emails or fake websites to trick users into revealing credentials.
- Skimming devices installed on ATMs or card machines.
- Hacking into databases or email accounts.
- Social engineering through fake calls or messages.
- Data leaks from insecure websites or apps.
Examples of Identity Theft
- Fraudulently applying for a loan using another person’s PAN and bank details.
- Using someone else’s Aadhaar to get a duplicate SIM card.
- Hacking a Facebook account and sending fake donation requests.
- Filing income tax returns or withdrawing PF using stolen credentials.
Legal Provisions and Punishment
| Section | Provision | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| 66C, IT Act | Fraudulent use of identity like password, DSC, biometrics | Up to 3 years imprisonment + ₹1 lakh fine |
| 419, IPC | Cheating by personation | Up to 3 years imprisonment + fine |
| 420, IPC | Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property | Up to 7 years + fine |
How to Protect Yourself
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2-factor authentication.
- Never share OTPs, PINs, or passwords.
- Be cautious of phishing emails and fake websites.
- Monitor bank statements and credit scores regularly.
- Report lost documents (like PAN, Aadhaar) immediately.
