A SIM card taken in your name without your knowledge can be used for fraud that is later traced back to you. Sanchar Saathi, the citizen portal of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) at sancharsaathi.gov.in, lets you check this yourself in a few minutes. The same portal has services to block a lost or stolen phone, report suspected fraud calls and messages, and check whether a handset is genuine.
This guide explains each service, based on the information published on the portal. Figures quoted are as shown on the portal in October 2026.
What you can do on Sanchar Saathi
| Service | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Know mobile connections in your name (TAFCOP) | See all numbers issued on your identity and report the ones you did not take or do not need |
| Block your lost or stolen mobile (CEIR) | Block the handset's IMEI on all networks and help the police trace it |
| Chakshu | Report suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages |
| Know genuineness of your mobile handset (KYM) | Check a phone's IMEI before buying or using it |
| Report international calls showing an Indian number | Report calls from abroad that display a +91 number |
| Know your wireline internet service provider | Find wired broadband providers in your area |
The services are also available on the Sanchar Saathi mobile app.
How to check mobile numbers issued in your name
- Open sancharsaathi.gov.in and choose the option to know the mobile connections in your name under Citizen Centric Services.
- Enter your mobile number and log in with the OTP sent to it.
- The portal lists the connections issued in your name.
- For any number that you do not recognise, select "This is not my number". For a number that is yours but no longer needed, select "Not required".
- Click Report.
How many connections are allowed
The portal states that an individual can hold up to 9 mobile connections across all operators. In Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern states the limit is 6.
What happens after you report a number
A reported connection goes through re-verification. The timelines given on the portal are:
- outgoing services suspended within 30 days;
- incoming services suspended within 45 days;
- disconnection within 60 days if the connection fails re-verification.
A subscriber who is on roaming, has a disability or is in hospital can get 30 more days. Mobile number portability is not allowed on the connection until re-verification is complete, and connections cannot be transferred to another person.
As shown on the portal in October 2026, about 432 lakh such requests had been received and about 402 lakh resolved, with roughly 2.19 crore connections disconnected after being reported as "not my number".
How to block a lost or stolen phone (CEIR)
Blocking through the Central Equipment Identity Register stops the handset from working on any Indian network, even with a different SIM.
- File a police report about the loss or theft and keep a copy.
- Get a duplicate SIM for the lost number from your operator. The OTP for the request goes to this number. The portal notes that SMS on a reissued SIM starts working after 24 hours.
- Keep the documents ready: the police report and an identity proof. The purchase invoice is optional.
- Submit the blocking form on the portal and note the Request ID.
According to the portal, a reported handset is blocked within 24 hours. If someone tries to use the phone, a traceability report is generated; you get an SMS and the police station receives a copy.
When the phone is found, inform the local police and then submit the unblocking form on the portal. If the block was originally placed through the State Police, the unblocking also has to go through the State Police.
How to report a suspected fraud call or message (Chakshu)
Chakshu is meant for communication that looks like an attempt to cheat, where you can see the sender's number: callers posing as DoT, TRAI, police or bank officials, fake job or loan offers, and similar messages on SMS or WhatsApp.
- Choose Chakshu under Citizen Centric Services.
- Select the medium (call, SMS or WhatsApp) and the category of fraud.
- Describe what was said or sent. A screenshot can be attached.
- Verify your own number with an OTP, enter your name and submit.
Two points to remember. First, Chakshu is not for cases where money has already been lost. The portal directs such victims to the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in. Second, the department says it keeps the reporting person's details confidential, but it does not promise action against every number reported.
How to check if a handset is genuine (KYM)
Every phone has a 15-digit IMEI number. Dial *#06# to see it; a dual-SIM phone has two.
You can check the IMEI in three ways:
- on the portal, under "Know genuineness of Your Mobile Handset";
- by SMS: type KYM, a space and the 15-digit IMEI, and send it to 14422;
- through the Sanchar Saathi app.
The result shows the manufacturer, device type, brand and model. If these do not match the phone in your hand, treat it as a warning sign. The portal says handsets with a null, all-zero or invalid IMEI cannot work on Indian networks.
Reporting international calls that show an Indian number
If a call that clearly comes from abroad displays an ordinary 10-digit Indian number with +91, it can be reported on the portal with the number shown and the date and time of the call. The portal also lists the phone numbers 1963 and 1800110420 for this.
Good habits
- Check the list of connections in your name once or twice a year, and after you have given identity documents for a SIM at a new shop.
- Note your phone's IMEI and keep it somewhere other than the phone.
- Never share an OTP with a caller. Reporting a call on Chakshu does not need you to call anyone back.
- Related reading: our report on UPI volumes and the merchant charge covers how widely the payment system is used, and our guide to checking your credit report for free shows how to spot loans taken in your name.
Frequently asked questions
How many mobile connections can one person hold in India?
The Sanchar Saathi portal says an individual can hold up to 9 mobile connections across all operators. The limit is 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern states.
What happens after I report a number as "This is not my number"?
The connection is sent for re-verification. According to the portal, outgoing services are suspended within 30 days, incoming services within 45 days, and a connection that fails re-verification is disconnected within 60 days.
Can I use Chakshu if I have already lost money to a fraud call?
No. Chakshu is only for reporting suspected fraud communication. For financial fraud or cybercrime, the portal directs victims to the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.
Do I need a police complaint to block a lost phone on CEIR?
Yes. The portal asks you to file a police report first and keep a copy, get a duplicate SIM for the lost number, and then submit the blocking form with the report and an identity proof.
How do I check whether a second-hand phone is genuine?
Find the IMEI by dialling *#06# on the phone, then enter it under "Know genuineness of Your Mobile Handset" on Sanchar Saathi, use the Sanchar Saathi app, or SMS KYM followed by the 15-digit IMEI to 14422.
