In today’s digital era, we do everything from our mobile, whether we have to pay money to the vegetable vendor, share bills with friends or do online shopping. Now there is no need to carry cash, because UPI has made payments easy, fast and safe. But as easily as we are transferring money, the cases of UPI fraud are also increasing.

Many times people hastily click on such links or scan QR codes, due to which their bank account becomes empty. Cyber ​​fraudsters have become so clever that they pretend to be bank officials, app support team or government agents and get OTP or UPI PIN from people. In view of this danger, RBI has recently issued new guidelines, so that users can stay safe from such frauds. If you also use UPI daily, then you must know these smart tips. By adopting these you can remain 100% safe.

1. Stay away from unknown links or QR codes – Most of the frauds are happening through phishing links and fake QR codes. Scammers send you a link in the name of a refund, reward or cashback. As soon as you click on it or scan the QR code, your bank information reaches them. RBI has clearly said that if you want to get money, then you do not need to scan or click anything. No real company or bank will ask you to scan QR to send money.

2. Never tell your UPI PIN or OTP to anyone – This is the most common and dangerous mistake. Producers call and say that they are calling from bank or Paytm, PhonePe and want to verify your account, just tell OTP or PIN. In such a situation, keep in mind that UPI PIN is only for sending money, not for receiving money, no bank, app or company ever asks for OTP, PIN or password. If someone asks you to enter the PIN so that the money comes, then understand that the person in front is committing fraud.

3. Use only official UPI app – Nowadays, fake UPI apps are also available on Play Store and websites, which look like real ones. Such apps can steal your login details and bank data. Therefore, before downloading the app, check the name of the developer and install the app only from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. While installing, read the permissions that the app is asking for carefully. If any app is offering Instant Cashback or Double Money Offer, then it is almost certain that it is a fraud.

4. Before sending money, check the name of the receiver twice – Many times fraudsters use a name that sounds like a friend or brand. As soon as you send money to the wrong ID, they disappear immediately. Therefore, every time before doing a transaction, double check the name of the receiver and UPI ID. If the name on GPay, Paytm or PhonePe looks strange or is not recognized, cancel the transaction immediately.

5. Report fraud immediately – If you accidentally get a UPI fraud, instead of panicking, take immediate action. According to the new guidelines of RBI, the bank will now have to take reports of such cases within 24 hours. You call the customer care of your bank. Contact immediately on National Cyber ​​Helpline number 1930. Apart from this, register online complaint by visiting https://cybercrime.gov.in/.

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UPI Payment Security: UPI (Unified Payment Interface) is now going to change the methods of online payment. In today’s superfast life, transactions up to thousands of rupees with just one click occur in seconds. Due to this, everyday life has become cashless and much easier. Now, whether to distribute the bill in the restaurant or to borrow money from a friend, UPI has become an important means for digital transactions. But now a big change is going to come, which will affect millions of users. Let’s know what is this change.

New change in UPI transaction

The National Payments Corporation of India has announced that now Person to Person ‘Collect Request’ or ‘Bridge Transaction’ feature will be closed from 1 October 2025 i.e. from today. Apps like Phone Pay, Google Pay and Paytm will no longer allow users to send payment requests directly to friends, relatives or their experts.

What is UPI ‘Collect request’ feature

Actually, with the help of this feature, one person could send a payment request to another user by entering UPI ID. For example, if you want to take money from your friend, then you could send them a request from your UPI app. After this, your friend would accept that request and put his pean, the money would be transferred to your account. This feature was very convenient, but at the same time it was becoming dangerous over time. Let’s know how.

Why was this feature dangerous

Actually, even though this facility was made for ease, with the help of this, the fraudsters were benefiting a lot. Scammers used to send fake requests to unknown users and implicate them to pay. Although earlier, the National Payments Corporation of India had reduced the request limit to ₹ 2000 to prevent misuse, but even then the fraud continued. Now after this, this feature is being closed forever to stop this fraud.

Traders will still have access

The important thing is that this feature will not be completely eliminated. Marchants like IRCTC, Flipkart, Amazon or Netflix will be able to send payment requests to customers for ticket booking, shopping or subscription. This feature is being banned only for Person to Person Transaction.

How to affect users

After the closure of this feature, from 1 October 2025, you cannot ask for money from friends or relatives using UPI Collect request. To transfer the money, you have to use the mobile number directly from the QR code, the receiver’s UPI ID, or the mobile number linked to UPI.

This feature is being closed for the purpose of increasing the security of digital payment. With this, now after this step, users will get relief from the scam. Users are advised to always check the payment request thoroughly before transferring money and must find out where the money is going.

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Cashless transactions have increased since demonetisation. Now most people transact directly from UPI itself. Whether to pay college fees or pay bills after eating food, UPI is being used everywhere. All from students to professionals are doing transactions through UPI. Because of this, cyber criminals also keep an eye on UPI. They wait for the smallest mistakes of the people. As soon as there is a mistake, they immediately vacate the account of the people. Therefore, it is important to take care of many things while using UPI.

Do not tell unknown person UPI PIN

Never tell your UPI PIN to any unknown person in phone calls or elsewhere. As soon as you do this, you give them direct access to your bank account. Also keep in mind that no bank officer will ever ask you the PIN number of UPI for any work. If someone is asking for PIN number by calling himself a bank or government official, then it should be careful.

Pay attention to pay request

Pay request option is available in UPI. Usually, after choosing UPI mode on e-commerce platforms, these companies send requests. After doing these, payment is made. If you get a request from an unknown person or site, then reject it.

Take care while scanning QR

Every QR code would not have been engaged to take payment. Many times fraudster fake QR code and implicate people in their web. Therefore, take care while scanning the QR code in public places. If you are having a little doubt anywhere, then pay other ways instead of QR code there.

Use official apps

Always use official apps for transactions or other works. Never download any app from the link from an unknown person in some greed. The app downloaded from such links can steal your important information and password.

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UPI and mobile banking are the era, but in the affair of this convenience, many times the basic things of security are ignored. If you have not activated these three important settings in your Google Pay, PhonePe or Bank apps, then only a small mistake can put your account at risk. Let us know which are those three settings and you can avoid big losses by turning on them.

App lock or biometric lock is required

Paying an extra lock (eg fingerprint or face unlock) is very important in payment apps instead of just PIN. For example, the app is available in Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm, no one will be able to accidentally enter them when it is turned on. This is a small caution, but many times children or guest users accidentally transfer money, then have to regret it.

Keep every transaction monitoring with notification alerts

Go to the “Alert Settings” section with your bank or UPI app and turn on the alert on the balance change, debit notification etc. With this, information about every transaction will come on your phone immediately and any suspicious transaction will be caught immediately. If an unusual transaction is happening, you can immediately inform the bank or UPI service provider, which can avoid being framed.

Increase security from two-factor authentication (2fa) or biometric confirmation

The UPI app is now being given 2‑factor Authentication i.e. 2FA or biometric option, such as OTP, besides fingerprints. This is important because even if PIN or OTP is stolen, no fraud will be able to do transactions. For this, go to the app security settings and turn on the option coming under the name 2FA or Biometric Confirmation.

You can give almost dual security to your digital wallets by mixing these three extrasters. The NPCI report states that the UPI fraud has increased by 70% last year and in most cases, OTP/Phishing’s hand was found. In view of this increasing threat, banks and cyber police also call users to be careful.