The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple words it is: Simple fixes for smarter living.Identity fraud is on the rise, and one of the most common ways it shows up is through loans or credit cards you never applied for. Fraudsters can misuse your PAN and personal details to open accounts in your name, leaving you with debt and damaged credit. The simplest way to catch this early is by regularly checking your credit report.
What it solves
ul1- li1Detects loans or credit cards that don’t belong to you.
- li1Helps identify suspicious or fraudulent activity linked to your PAN.
- li1Protects your financial reputation and credit score from long-term damage.
Here’s how to check
- li1Check Your Credit Report
ul1- li1Get your free credit report from an official bureau:
- li1Review Active Accounts
ul1- li1Look carefully at all listed loans, credit cards, and recent enquiries.
- li1Flag anything unfamiliar or unexpected.
- li1Contact the Institution
ul1- li1If you spot an unknown entry, reach out to the bank or lender directly using their official customer care channels.
- li1Raise a Dispute
ul1- li1File a dispute with the credit bureau to correct your report.
- li1If fraud is suspected, lodge a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Important note
Checking your own credit report is considered a soft enquiry. It does not affect your credit score, so you can do it as often as needed.
The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to...
Read MoreThe TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment