OYO Room Safety: Why You Should Use a Masked Aadhaar Card to Protect Your Data

OYO Room Safety: If you’re planning to stay in an OYO Room or hotel, you’re often required to submit your Aadhaar Card for verification during check-in. While this is a standard practice, sharing your original Aadhaar details can pose serious risks, such as identity theft or data misuse. Here’s why you should use a Masked Aadhaar Card and how to get one.

Why Is Sharing Your Original Aadhaar Card Risky?

Your Aadhaar Card contains sensitive personal information that can be exploited for fraudulent activities, including:

Identity Theft: Misuse of your Aadhaar details for illegal activities.
Financial Fraud: Your bank account details could be compromised.

What Is a Masked Aadhaar Card?

A Masked Aadhaar Card is a secure version of your regular Aadhaar Card that hides the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number. Only the last 4 digits are visible, ensuring your data remains private.

What It Shows: Basic details like name, address, and photograph.
What It Hides: Most of your Aadhaar number, keeping your information safe.

How to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card

You can easily download a Masked Aadhaar Card from the UIDAI website by following these steps:

Visit the UIDAI website (https://uidai.gov.in).
Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’.
Enter your Aadhaar number, VID, or enrollment ID.
Select the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option.
Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Download the Masked Aadhaar Card PDF and use the password (first four letters of your name and birth year) to access it.

Tips for Staying Safe While Sharing Aadhaar

Always use a Masked Aadhaar Card for hotel check-ins or other non-governmental purposes.
Avoid sharing photocopies of your original Aadhaar unless absolutely necessary.
Verify the credentials of the place asking for Aadhaar details.
Use watermarks like "For Hotel Use Only" on photocopies to prevent misuse.