Technology

Sanchar Saathi: How to Block a Lost Phone and Check SIM Cards in Your Name

Sanchar Saathi is a free government service to block a lost phone, check SIMs in your name and report fraud calls.

Losing a phone is stressful enough. Then comes the worry: what if someone uses it, or your number? And there is another quiet risk many people never check, which is SIM cards taken in your name without your knowledge. Sanchar Saathi, a free government service from the Department of Telecommunications, is built for exactly these problems.

It works as a website and as a mobile app for Android and iPhone. It is available in Hindi and 21 other regional languages. Here is what it can do for you, and how to use each tool properly.

What Is Sanchar Saathi?

Think of it as a one-stop counter for your phone and your mobile number. You do not pay anything, and you do not need a middleman or an agent. The government says that the app collects only the minimum personal details needed, does not build marketing profiles and does not share your data with third parties. You can switch the app on or off, or delete it, whenever you want.

The service has grown quickly. Official figures say over 42 lakh lost or stolen phones have been blocked so far, and more than 7 lakh traced phones have been returned to their owners.

How to Block a Lost or Stolen Phone

This is the tool most people need first. Once you block your phone, it stops working on every mobile network in India, even if the thief puts in a new SIM card. If anyone tries to use it, a report is created that helps the police trace the phone.

Keep these ready before you start:

A copy of the police complaint (FIR or lost-phone report).
A new SIM for the lost number, so you can receive the OTP.
Your ID proof.
The phone’s IMEI number, a 15-digit code on the phone’s box or bill. On a working phone you can see it by dialling *#06#.

Blocking takes effect within 24 hours. If you get your phone back, report it to the police and then unblock it on the same service.

How to Check SIM Cards Taken in Your Name

Some people find out only after a fraud that someone used their documents to buy SIM cards. The connection check shows you every mobile number registered against your name. For each number you can mark one of three choices: it is yours, you do not need it any more, or it is not yours at all.

There is a limit on how many connections one person can hold. It is 9 across India, and 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North Eastern states. If you see a number you never took, report it. The number is checked again, and if the owner cannot prove it, it is disconnected. Outgoing services can stop within 30 days, incoming within 45 days, and full disconnection within 60 days.

A good habit: check this list once or twice a year, and always after you share a photocopy of your Aadhaar or other ID with a shop or agent.

How to Report Fraud Calls and Messages

The reporting tool is called Chakshu. Use it when you get a suspicious call, SMS or WhatsApp message. Common examples are someone pretending to be an official, a bank or a courier, fake job or loan offers, and “your KYC is expiring” messages.

Each report helps the authorities spot and block the number, so you protect other people too. One thing to remember: Chakshu is not for money that is already lost. If you have been cheated, call the cyber-crime helpline 1930 at once or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in. The first few hours matter most.

There is a separate option for ordinary spam, meaning sales calls and SMS you did not ask for. Report it within 7 days of receiving it, because only reports made in that time can lead to action against the sender. You can set your own call and SMS preferences by calling or messaging 1909.

Other Useful Tools

Genuine phone check: Before you buy a second-hand or discounted phone, type the IMEI on the service, or send an SMS “KYM” followed by the 15-digit IMEI to 14422. It tells you the brand and model registered for that number, so you can see if the seller’s claim matches.
Calls from abroad that show +91: If a call shows an Indian number but seems to come from outside the country, you can report it. The helplines are 1963 and 1800110420.
Trusted contact details: You can look up the official phone numbers, emails and websites of banks and financial companies, which is handy when a “customer care” number comes in a message.

Things to Keep in Mind

Use only the official website, sancharsaathi.gov.in, or the app from your phone’s official app store. Fake lookalike pages exist for almost every government service.
No genuine officer will ask for your OTP, card PIN or a payment to “unblock” your phone. The service itself is free.
Blocking a phone does not erase your data. If it holds banking apps, change your passwords and tell your bank quickly.
Keep a note of your phone’s IMEI somewhere safe, away from the phone. Without it, blocking is harder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sanchar Saathi free to use?

Yes. The website and the app are free, and no one is allowed to charge you for blocking a phone or checking your connections. If someone asks for money, it is not the real service.

Can I block my phone without a police complaint?

The service asks for a police report as part of the blocking request, so file one first. Keep a copy of it, because you will need its details while filling the form.

What happens if I find my lost phone after blocking it?

You can unblock it. Tell the police that you have found it, and then request unblocking on the same service. It then works on all networks again.

I found a SIM in my name that I never took. What should I do?

Mark it as “not my number” on the connection check. The number is then verified again, and it is disconnected if the owner cannot show proper documents. If you also lost money, call 1930.

Can I use Chakshu to report a fraud where I lost money?

No. Chakshu is for reporting suspicious calls and messages so they can be blocked. For money already lost, call 1930 or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in as soon as possible.