Section 66C of the Information Technology Act (IT Act), 2000, addresses identity theft in the digital space. It specifically deals with the fraudulent or dishonest use of someone else’s electronic signature, password, or unique identification feature. With the rise in online transactions, social media use, and mobile banking, identity theft cases have increased across India. This legal provision plays a key role in protecting users from cybercriminals who misuse personal digital information.
What Is Section 66C OF the IT Act?
Using Someone Else’s Electronic Signature or Password Is a Crime
Anyone who fraudulently or dishonestly uses another person’s electronic signature, password, or unique ID will face legal punishment.
The law allows imprisonment for up to three years. The offender may also face a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
This offense involves misuse of someone’s personal digital identity. It is treated seriously under cybercrime laws.
Avoid using another person’s credentials without permission. Doing so can lead to jail time and heavy fines.
Popular Cases
Fake Profile of Minister Girish Bapat Shared Obscene Content.
In July 2017, Pune police registered an FIR against a fake social media profile of state minister Girish Bapat. The profile shared inappropriate images. The case was filed under IPC Section 500 and Section 66C of the IT Act at Bund Garden police station.
AIB Faces FIR for Making Woman’s Number Viral.
On May 17, AIB released a video titled “If Apps Were People”. At 4:34 minutes, a character mentions a phone number that matched Rohina Chhabra’s number from Jaipur. Since then, she received continuous spam calls. An FIR was filed against AIB members in July 2017.
Rajasthan Student Arrested for WhatsApp Hacking.
On June 28, 2017, Nashik Police registered a case under Section 66C of the IT Act. Several complaints reported WhatsApp account hacks. The cybercrime team arrested Diptesh Salecha for hacking 31 accounts.
Paramilitary Man Hacked Kareena Kapoor’s IT Account.
In January 2017, Mumbai cyber police arrested a 26-year-old paramilitary man. He hacked Kareena Kapoor’s Income Tax account to get her mobile number. He wanted to speak with her. The accused faces charges of impersonation and identity theft under the IT Act.
Senior Citizen Loses ₹71,000 in Phone Scam.
In May 2017, a Mumbai senior citizen lost ₹71,000 to an identity theft scam. A woman posed as a bank executive and asked for debit card details. The victim’s account was debited immediately. Despite bank alerts, the scam still succeeded.
Conclusion
Identity theft under Section 66C can cause serious financial loss, emotional distress, and reputational damage. Victims often face fraudulent transactions, unauthorized account access, and harassment. Strong enforcement of this section is crucial to ensure digital safety. Awareness, timely reporting, and legal action can help curb identity theft and build a safer online environment for all.
