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1 September 2026 · 5 min read

Money withdrawn using your Aadhaar fingerprint? How to stop AEPS fraud

Scammers can pull money from your account using cloned fingerprints through the Aadhaar payment system. Here is how to lock your biometrics and report it.

If money has left your bank account through the Aadhaar payment system without you using any card or OTP, you may be a victim of AEPS fraud. Scammers use cloned or stolen fingerprints to withdraw cash at small kiosks. It can happen even if you never shared a PIN. The good news is you can shut this door quickly.

Lock your Aadhaar biometrics now. Once locked, no one can use your fingerprint for a payment until you unlock it yourself. This is the single most effective step.

Lock your Aadhaar biometrics

  1. Go to the official UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app.
  2. Find the option to lock or unlock your biometrics.
  3. Lock your biometrics so your fingerprint cannot be used for any transaction.
  4. Unlock it only briefly when you genuinely need to use it, then lock it again.

Report the fraud and secure your money

  1. Call your bank, report the AEPS transaction as fraud, and ask them to block AEPS on your account.
  2. Call 1930 and file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in, saving the complaint ID.
  3. Ask your bank in writing to investigate and reverse the unauthorised withdrawal.
Like any unauthorised electronic transaction, if the fraud was not your fault and you report it quickly, RBI rules can limit your liability. Report within three working days of the bank's alert to give yourself the strongest case.

How your fingerprint gets misused

Fingerprints can be lifted from documents where you gave a thumb impression, such as property papers or some registration forms, and copied onto a fake pad. This is why locking your biometrics matters even if you have been careful. Keep AEPS locked by default and only open it when you need it.

Common questions

How can money leave my account without my card or OTP?

Through the Aadhaar payment system, which uses your fingerprint. If a scammer has a copy of your fingerprint, they can withdraw cash at a kiosk without needing your card or OTP. Locking your Aadhaar biometrics stops this.

How do I lock my Aadhaar biometrics?

Use the official UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app and choose the lock biometrics option. Once locked, your fingerprint cannot be used for any transaction until you unlock it yourself.

Can I get AEPS fraud money back?

Report it to your bank and on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in as fast as you can. Like other unauthorised transactions, reporting within three working days of the bank's alert gives you the best chance under RBI rules, especially where the fraud was not your fault.

Should I keep my biometrics locked all the time?

Yes, keeping them locked by default is safest. Unlock only for the short time you genuinely need to use your fingerprint, then lock it again.

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