System Engineer Pratiksha Sharma has reported that her Airtel SIM, in use for 9 years, is wrongly registered under another person’s name. Read full complaint details, risks, and remedies.
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Complaint Summary : Airtel Complaint – Pratiksha Sharma Raises SIM Ownership Issue After 9 Years of Use
| Complainant | Pratiksha Sharma |
|---|---|
| Profile | System Engineer |
| Complaint Type | SIM Ownership / Mobile Number Identity Issue |
| Company | Airtel India |
| Mobile Number | 8881097209 |
| Issue Reported | SIM purchased in 2016 with Aadhaar, but registered under another person’s name |
| Impact | Banking, work, and critical services linked to this number are disrupted |
| Customer’s Claim | Has been using this number for 9 years, provable via call logs and active accounts |
| Action Requested | Immediate re-verification and reassignment of SIM ownership in her name |
Full Complaint Details
Pratiksha Sharma, a System Engineer, raised an urgent issue with Airtel India regarding her mobile number 8881097209, which she has been using since 2016.
She purchased this SIM from a vendor in Haridwar, submitting her Aadhaar card for verification. However, she was shocked to learn recently that the SIM is actually registered under a completely different person’s name someone she does not even know.
The problem surfaced when her SIM suddenly stopped working. On visiting the Airtel store, she was informed that the number is not in her name.
This creates serious risks for her, since this number is linked with:
- Bank accounts
- Work records
- Other essential services and logins
She has been using the number continuously for 9 years, which can be verified through call records, SMS logs, and active service logins.
She is urgently requesting Airtel to:
- Verify her long-term usage history.
- Reassign and reissue the SIM in her name.
- Ensure protection of her linked accounts and services.
Why This Case is Critical
- Identity Risk – If the SIM is in another person’s name, it can cause fraud or misuse of linked bank accounts and services.
- KYC Failure – Despite submitting Aadhaar in 2016, Airtel failed to register the number correctly.
- Consumer Vulnerability – Mobile numbers are critical for bank OTPs, UPI transactions, work logins, and government services. Losing access poses severe disruption.
- Telecom Accountability – This highlights a loophole in Airtel’s KYC and customer verification process.
Legal & Consumer Remedies
Consumers facing similar issues can:
- File a complaint with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) via the Public Grievance portal.
- Approach the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for SIM ownership/KYC discrepancies.
- Lodge a case under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 for deficiency in service.
- Report the matter to cybercrime authorities, since number misuse can lead to identity theft or fraud.
About Airtel India
- Parent Company: Bharti Airtel Limited
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Subscribers: Over 350 million in India
- Key Concern Here: KYC lapses leading to customer identity risks
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
At Choice4Voice.com, we ensure that such cases are amplified publicly so that companies are pressured to respond.
✔ Complaints are published within 24 hours.
✔ Visibility on LinkedIn and web ensures accountability.
✔ Guidance on legal escalation and consumer rights.
👉 Submit your complaint here: https://choice4voice.com/submit-your-complaint/
Original LinkedIn Post
Read Pratiksha Sharma’s LinkedIn Post Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who raised this complaint against Airtel?
Pratiksha Sharma, a System Engineer.
Q2. What is the issue reported?
Her SIM, purchased in 2016 with Aadhaar verification, is wrongly registered under another person’s name.
Q3. What number is affected?
Mobile number 8881097209.
Q4. How long has she been using this number?
For approximately 9 years.
Q5. How did she discover the issue?
Her SIM suddenly stopped working, and the Airtel store informed her about the ownership mismatch.
Q6. What risks does this create?
Banking, work, and personal services linked to the number are inaccessible, and there’s potential risk of identity misuse.
Q7. Can Airtel verify her claim?
Yes, through call history, SMS logs, and linked accounts.
Q8. What does the customer want?
Reverification and reassignment of the SIM in her name.
Q9. What rights are violated here?
Right to proper KYC, right to security of personal information, and right to fair service.
Q10. Can this lead to legal action?
Yes, under the Consumer Protection Act and via the Telecom Ombudsman.
Q11. How common are SIM ownership issues?
Such cases are rare but extremely dangerous when they occur, as they affect financial and digital security.
Q12. What is Airtel’s responsibility in this case?
To correct the ownership error immediately and secure the customer’s linked services.
Q13. Should she file a police complaint?
Yes, if misuse of her number or identity is suspected.
Q14. What role does DoT play?
DoT ensures KYC compliance by telecom operators and addresses complaints about SIM registration errors.
Q15. Can she lose access to her bank accounts?
Yes, since mobile OTPs are required for transactions.
Q16. Is Aadhaar submission proof of ownership?
Yes, if it was given at the time of purchase, Airtel must have records.
Q17. How long does SIM reassignment take?
Normally within 48–72 hours after verification.
Q18. Can another person misuse her SIM?
Yes, if it is wrongly registered, that person could misuse the connection.
Q19. What immediate step should she take?
File a grievance with Airtel nodal officer and also escalate to DoT.
Q20. How can Choice4Voice.com help others in such cases?
By publishing verified complaints, guiding escalation, and creating pressure for resolution.
