How to Check if Someone Has Taken a Loan Using Your PAN Card – A Complete Guide

In India, your PAN (Permanent Account Number) is one of the most important identity documents for all financial transactions. From opening a bank account to applying for a loan, credit card, or investing in mutual funds, your PAN card is mandatory.

But with rising cases of identity theft and financial fraud, many people are worried: What if someone misuses my PAN card to take a loan without my knowledge?

This blog will guide you through how to check, detect, and protect yourself from PAN card loan fraud in 2025.

Why Your PAN Card Can Be Misused

• Unique financial identity – PAN is linked to your credit history.

• Used in loan applications – Banks/NBFCs verify PAN while sanctioning loans.

• Vulnerability in the digital age – Data leaks, phishing scams, and careless document sharing can put your PAN at risk.

If your PAN card details fall into the wrong hands, fraudsters can apply for loans under your name.

How to Check if Someone Has Taken a Loan on Your PAN Card

1. Check Your Credit Report

• Visit credit bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, CRIF High Mark, or Equifax.

• Enter your PAN details to download your credit report.

• Look for:

  • Unknown loan accounts

  • Hard inquiries by lenders you never approached

2. Check on RBI-Approved Credit Bureaus

• RBI allows 1 free credit report every year from each bureau.

• It’s good practice to check your report at least twice a year.

3. Use Loan Status Trackers

• Some lenders provide online PAN-based loan tracking.

• If you see an unfamiliar loan linked to your PAN, it’s a red flag.

4. Monitor SMS & Email Alerts

• If you receive OTPs, loan approval SMS, or credit inquiry emails that you did not initiate, it could mean misuse of your PAN.

What to Do If You Find an Unauthorised Loan

1. Report to the Bank/NBFC

   • Immediately contact the lender who issued the loan.

   • Submit an official complaint with your PAN details.

2. File a Police Complaint

   • Register an FIR for identity theft at your nearest police station or through cybercrime.gov.in.

3. Inform the Credit Bureau

   • Dispute the unauthorised loan entry.

   • The credit bureau will verify with the lender and correct your report.

4. Inform RBI/Banking Ombudsman

   • If the issue isn’t resolved, escalate it to the Banking Ombudsman or RBI.

How to Protect Your PAN Card from Misuse

✅ Do not share PAN card copies freely
✅ Use Aadhaar masking/PAN masking wherever possible
✅ Shred old photocopies before discarding
✅ Avoid uploading PAN on unsecured websites
✅ Regularly monitor your credit report

Final Thoughts

Your PAN card is the key to your financial identity. Misuse of PAN can not only harm your credit score but also leave you liable for loans you never took.

By staying vigilant, monitoring your credit reports, and reporting suspicious activity immediately, you can protect yourself from PAN-based loan fraud.

🔑 Tip: Make it a habit to check your credit report twice a year to stay ahead of fraudsters.