It was a regular Tuesday morning when 25-year-old Riya Sharma, a marketing executive from Pune, opened her inbox to an email that made her heart skip a beat.
Riya froze. She hadn’t taken any loan. Not recently. Not ever, from that company.
She ignored it at first, thinking it was spam. But within days, she started getting calls from a recovery agent claiming she owed ₹45,000 to a loan app she’d never even downloaded.
Panic set in. Her name, Aadhaar number, and even PAN had been used to take a loan she didn’t apply for.
That’s when it hit her — someone took out a loan in my name.
And just like that, Riya became a victim of loan identity theft.
Can Someone Else Take a Loan Out in My Name?
In the age of instant approvals and “just 5-minute loans,” fraudsters have found new playgrounds.
They use stolen personal data, sometimes leaked from old apps, online forms, or unsecured websites, to apply for loans in someone else’s name.
Often, the victim doesn’t even know until recovery agents start calling, or their credit score suddenly drops.
How to Find Out if Someone Took a Loan Out in My Name?
Well, the simplest way is to check your CIBIL report.
This is what Riya did:
She requested her report and found an active loan of ₹45,000 sanctioned in her name.
Here are a few other ways to find out loan details:
- You receive loan approval emails or EMI reminders from unknown lenders.
- You get calls from recovery agents about loans you didn’t take.
- Your credit score suddenly drops for no reason.
- Your CIBIL report shows new accounts or inquiries you never made.
How to Avoid Loan Scams?
- Never share your PAN, Aadhaar, or bank details on unknown apps or websites.
- Always download loan apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store or the official website.
- Avoid uploading KYC documents unless you’re sure the platform is RBI-registered.
- Use strong passwords and don’t reuse them across sites.
Keep your email and phone linked to your bank updated so you get alerts for any suspicious activity.
How to Report Loan Frauds in India?
Now, if you have been a victim of any such online fraud, then take immediate steps just like Riya:
- Collect proof of screenshots, emails, messages, or call logs.
- Contact the lender to report the fraud.
- Filed an FIR at her local police station, mentioning cyber fraud.
- File a cyber crime complaint
- Informed her bank and credit bureau to flag the fraudulent account.
Need Help?
Need assistance in reporting such scams? Register with us, and our team will guide you step by step.
Conclusion
Identity theft can happen to anyone, whether you’re tech-savvy or not. But how you respond can make all the difference.
Like Riya says now,
“I used to think scams only happened to careless people. Now I know it’s about awareness, not luck.”
So take five minutes today. Check your credit report. Secure your documents. And never underestimate how valuable your personal information really is.
