Someone stole my identity to open accounts in Kozhikode; how do I clear my name?
AR Asked by Arjun Nair from India
Quick Answer
Identity theft is prosecuted under Section 66C of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Sanhita for cheating, and the victim must act on both civil and criminal fronts.
Detailed Legal Analysis
Identity theft is prosecuted under Section 66C of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Sanhita for cheating, and the victim must act on both civil and criminal fronts. File an FIR at the Kozhikode cyber police station against unknown persons and request the bank to freeze the fraudulent accounts.
Notify all four credit bureaus (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, CRIF) to flag the fraudulent accounts on your credit report. The Kerala High Court can direct the banks and bureaus to correct your records and to compensate for the loss of reputation.
Kerala Rent Control Act 1963 consumer fora in Kozhikode can award damages against the bank for failing KYC verification. Collect the application forms, KYC documents and the bank's correspondence to show the forgery.
File a rectification request with each bank that opened the account in your name.
Disclaimer: AI-generated for educational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.