FASTag Security Row: Mumbai Car Owner Alleges Tag Replaced Without Consent During Vehicle Transport

Existing FASTag Deactivated Overnight; Owner Claims New Tag Was Issued Using Transporter Driver’s Details Without OTP Verification

Mumbai: A Mumbai-based man has raised serious concerns over FASTag security after alleging that his active FASTag was replaced without his permission while his car was being transported from Mumbai to Delhi.

The incident came to light after X user Rushil shared his experience on social media, claiming there is a major loophole in the FASTag system.

According to Rushil, the transporter’s driver had casually asked him whether sufficient balance was available in the FASTag before taking the vehicle for transport.

🚨 FASTag has a MASSIVE security loophole & nobody is talking about it.

Today, literally anyone with access to your car & RC can get a NEW FASTag issued on your vehicle in THEIR name & mobile number.

No OTP.
No owner authorization.
No consent from the actual vehicle owner.

The… pic.twitter.com/6XzPmBqLy8

— Rushil (@RushilM_) May 18, 2026

However, the next morning, he reportedly received a message from ICICI Bank stating that a new FASTag had been activated for his vehicle under the “One Vehicle One FASTag” rule. Soon after, his original FASTag was automatically blacklisted and deactivated.

Rushil alleged that the new FASTag was issued through Airtel Payments Bank using the transporter driver’s mobile number and details. He further claimed that the activation was completed without any OTP verification or approval from him as the registered vehicle owner.

The car owner also alleged that he was unable to immediately deactivate the newly issued FASTag. According to him, customer care informed him that only the person who activated the FASTag could request its closure.

In his viral post, Rushil criticised the lack of owner control and emergency fraud support in the FASTag system. He also claimed there was no quick mechanism through the NHAI helpline to block or reverse the activation.

Following the viral post, ICICI Bank responded publicly on X and said it was looking into the matter. The bank asked the user to share contact details through direct message and also advised customers not to share sensitive information such as OTPs, Aadhaar details or banking credentials online.

The incident has once again triggered concerns over digital verification and vehicle-owner protection in India’s FASTag system.

In recent months, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has tightened FASTag verification rules after complaints related to incorrect vehicle details and misuse of tags. However, many social media users are now demanding stronger safeguards, including mandatory OTP approval from registered vehicle owners before any FASTag replacement or activation is processed.

Several users have also called for faster grievance redressal systems and emergency blocking facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.