You can check mobile connections in your name on the Sanchar Saathi portal in a few minutes, and it is worth doing once a year. Someone may have taken a SIM using your ID without you knowing. This guide explains the steps, the limits and what happens after you report a number.
Quick answer
- Where: the Sanchar Saathi portal or app, through its TAFCOP module.
- Login: an OTP sent to your mobile number.
- Limit: up to 9 connections per person, and 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states.
- To report: choose “This is not my number” or “Not required”, then submit.
- After that: the operator flags the connection for re-verification.
Why you should check mobile connections in your name
A SIM issued on your documents can be misused for fraud calls or fake accounts. Also, you may simply have old numbers you stopped using years ago. The check shows every connection registered against your identity across all operators.
There is a cap as well. According to the Sanchar Saathi portal, one person can hold up to 9 mobile connections in India. For Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states, the limit is 6. Connections above the limit are disconnected by the operator, starting with the most recently activated.
Steps to check and report
- Open the Sanchar Saathi portal, or use the mobile app, and find the TAFCOP module for knowing your connections.
- Enter your mobile number and log in with the OTP you receive.
- Review the list of numbers registered in your name.
- For any number you did not take, select “This is not my number”. For one you no longer need, select “Not required”.
- Click “Report” to submit.
So the whole process is a login, a review and a submit. Take your time at step four. Only report numbers you are sure about.
What happens after you report
Reported connections are flagged for re-verification. The operator then confirms your identity against its records, and may ask for proof of identity. The portal lists these timelines:
- Outgoing services are suspended within 30 days.
- Incoming services are suspended within 45 days.
- Connections that fail re-verification are disconnected within 60 days.
Subscribers on international roaming, with a physical disability or in hospital may get an extra 30 days. Meanwhile, number portability is not allowed on a flagged connection until re-verification is complete.
Common mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is reporting a number you actually use. For example, your bank alerts may be tied to it, and a flagged number can lose service. Check each entry against the SIMs in your phone and your old drawers.
The second is ignoring the list because it looks long. However, an unfamiliar number is exactly what you are looking for. Note it down and report it. The third is waiting until you get a scam call. A yearly check is faster than cleaning up afterwards.
If a connection was taken on forged documents, the portal says it can lead to a police complaint or FIR. So keep a screenshot of the list before you report. Pair this with other safety tools, such as the Chakshu portal for suspected fraud calls.
How often should you check?
Once a year is a sensible habit, and again after you lose a wallet or share ID copies for a rental or a job. Also check when you get an unexpected SMS about a SIM you never ordered. The check is free, so there is little reason to skip it.
What if your phone is lost?
That is a different problem with a different tool. Our guide to blocking a lost phone through Sanchar Saathi covers the steps.
FAQ
Is there a limit on SIM cards in my name?
Yes. The portal states a limit of 9 connections per person across all operators. The limit is 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states.
What does “This is not my number” do?
It reports the connection to your operator, which flags it for re-verification. Outgoing service can be suspended within 30 days if it fails to verify.
Can I port a number that has been flagged?
No. Number portability is not allowed on a flagged connection until the re-verification is complete.