Should I share Aadhaar, PAN or bank details for a job?
India: official channels as of 30 Oct 2026. Official links checked on 30 October 2026.
Not with an unverified recruiter and not at the start. Fraudsters ask for Aadhaar, PAN, bank passbook photos and OTPs to open accounts, take loans or empty yours. Employers collect such details at joining, through their HR process, after you have confirmed that the offer is real.
Never share these
- OTPs, UPI PINs, card numbers, CVV or net banking passwords. No employer needs them.
- A screen share of your phone, or access through a remote-control app.
- Bank details to "receive salary" before a verified offer exists.
Share with care
Aadhaar, PAN, certificates and bank account details are normally needed at joining. Share them only with an employer you have confirmed independently, through the company's own HR channel. Share only what is asked for, and keep a record of what you sent and when.
Warning signs
- Documents are asked on first contact.
- They are to be sent to a personal WhatsApp or email.
- A "verification fee" or small test payment is asked.
- The request is urgent, with a deadline of hours.
If you shared too much
- Call your bank using the number on your card or official app, and ask about extra safeguards on the account.
- If money was taken, call 1930 or use cybercrime.gov.in; see lost money.
- Report the number through Chakshu; see how to report.
- Watch your accounts and messages for unfamiliar activity.
On LiveRec
Verifying your identity on LiveRec keeps the result, not your ID images. See what LiveRec checks.
FAQ
Can an employer ask for a cancelled cheque? At joining, some do for payroll. Confirm the employer first.
What about the offer letter signed with Aadhaar? Confirm with HR through a number you looked up.
A quick decision table
| Request | Before a verified offer | At joining, through HR |
|---|---|---|
| OTP, UPI PIN, card number, CVV, net banking password | Never | Never |
| Screen share or remote access app | Never | Never |
| Bank account number and IFSC for salary | No | Yes, after you have confirmed the employer |
| PAN and Aadhaar copy | No | Usually, through the company's own HR channel |
| Education and experience certificates | Only after the interview, to a company email | Yes |
What to do after you shared an identity document
Fraudsters can use a copy of an identity document to take mobile connections or accounts in your name. The Sanchar Saathi portal has a service called TAFCOP that lets you see how many mobile connections are registered in your name. You log in with an OTP sent to your own mobile number. The portal says one person can hold at most 9 connections across all providers (6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states). If you find a number you did not take, you can select "This is not my number" and report it. The portal says reported connections are flagged for re-verification by the service provider.
Common mistakes
- Sending a photo of a document with no note on it. If you must send a copy to a verified employer, write the purpose and date across the copy.
- Giving Aadhaar for "verification of the job." A genuine employer verifies after you join.
- Sharing a bank passbook picture to "check your account is active."
- Taking part in a video call where the "HR" asks you to show your card.
- Assuming a government-looking name means a government job. The NCS warns that some websites and people falsely claim an association with it and use its logo. NCS also says it charges no fee at any stage.
What a genuine joining process looks like
The Ministry of Labour and Employment handbook says employers must issue an appointment letter to every employee and must issue wage slips on or before payment of wages. That is the paper trail you can expect once you join. It is not a reason to send documents to someone before you do.
More questions people ask
Is it safe to send documents to a company email?
It is safer than a personal chat number, if you have confirmed the address on the company's own website.
What if I already shared my OTP?
Call your bank using the number on your card or official app straight away. If money was taken, call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in.
Where do I report the sender?
Use Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi if the sender's number is visible.
Sources
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and helpline 1930, as named on Sanchar Saathi: https://cybercrime.gov.in (accessed 30 Oct 2026)
- Sanchar Saathi, Chakshu (Report Suspected Fraud Communication): https://sancharsaathi.gov.in (accessed 30 Oct 2026)
- Sanchar Saathi, Chakshu and TAFCOP: https://sancharsaathi.gov.in (accessed 31 October 2026)
- National Career Service, home page and FAQ: https://www.ncs.gov.in (accessed 31 October 2026)
- Ministry of Labour and Employment, Compliance Handbook for Employers under the Four Labour Codes (Central Government sphere): https://www.labour.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/02/83978455025732b99b0165def80ab171.pdf (accessed 31 October 2026)
Next step: If you paid or shared, act now.
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.