If you suspect someone else is using a mobile number tied to your identity, you don't have to guess. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) provides a direct USSD system to audit every active cellular connection linked to your National Identity card.
Checking your mobile identity takes less than a minute. Whether you're managing multiple carrier accounts or safeguarding your personal information against fraud, here's the exact procedure to verify your biometric SIM registrations across all operators in Bangladesh.
How to Check SIMs Registered Under Your NID
The process doesn't require visiting a customer care center or logging into an online portal. You can run a complete audit straight from your handset using a universal code.
- Open your phone's dialer app.
- Enter the code *16001# and press call.
- A prompt will appear asking for the last four digits of your National Identity (NID) card. If you use a smart NID or paper-laminated NID, the digits remain the same.
- Type the four digits and submit the request.
Within moments, you'll receive a return SMS from the system. The message lists the prefixes and suffixes of all mobile numbers registered against your NID. It covers every major operator in the country, including Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk.
Understanding Your Audit Results
Reading the SMS output carefully helps you spot discrepancies right away. The text typically displays partial numbers, showing the first few digits and the last digits for privacy reasons (e.g., 017xxxxxxxx).
Match these numbers against your personal inventory. You should look out for specific warning signs:
- Unrecognized numbers: If you see a number you've never purchased, an unauthorized person may have used a leaked or forged NID copy during biometric registration.
- Old corporate lines: Sometimes employer-provided SIMs remain active under your personal NID long after you've left a job.
- Discarded secondary numbers: Temporary numbers you bought years ago for travel or single use might still be active and vulnerable to recycling fraud.
What to Do If You Find an Unauthorized SIM
Discovering an unknown number on your NID list requires immediate action to protect yourself from legal and financial liability. Criminals often use unregistered or fraudulently acquired SIMs for financial scams, making the legal owner of the NID accountable.
First, identify which mobile operator hosts the suspicious number. The prefix (such as 017 for Grameenphone, 018 for Robi, 019 for Banglalink, or 015 for Teletalk) points directly to the service provider.
Next, visit the nearest official customer care center of that specific operator. Bring your original NID card and a physical copy. Request a biometric re-verification check or immediate deactivation of the unauthorized line. The customer service representative will verify your fingerprint against the database and block the fraudulent connection on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my SIM registration status online via a website?
No official web portal provides a direct list of NID-linked SIM numbers for privacy protection. The USSD code *16001# remains the only authorized and secure channel for this check.
Is there a fee to check my registered SIM cards?
The USSD query is entirely free of charge for subscribers across all mobile networks in Bangladesh.
How many SIM cards can I legally register under one NID?
BTRC regulations permit a single individual to register a maximum of 15 active SIM cards across all operators combined.
What is the difference between *16001# and *16161#?
Dialing *16001# lists all mobile phone numbers linked to your NID. In contrast, *16161# (or messaging KYD to 16002) is used to verify the legality and registration status of a physical mobile handset's IMEI number through the National Equipment Identity Register.
