UPI has made paying shops, salons and delivery people quick and cashless. A few simple habits keep your money safe.
1. You never need your PIN to receive money
Your UPI PIN is only for sending money. If anyone asks you to enter your PIN to "receive" a payment, refund or prize, it is a scam. Decline the request.
2. Check the name before you pay
After scanning a QR code or entering a UPI ID, your payment app shows the account holder's name. Check that it matches the shop or person you want to pay before you enter your PIN.
3. Check the amount twice
Make sure the amount is correct, especially when you type it yourself. An extra zero is an easy mistake.
4. Save the UTR number
Every successful UPI payment has a reference number, called the UTR or UPI reference. If there is a problem, this number helps the shop or bank trace your payment. Take a screenshot of the success screen for larger payments.
5. Wait for the success screen
Do not pay again just because the shop did not get a message instantly. Check your app's history first. Paying twice is a common mistake when the network is slow.
6. Ignore unknown collect requests
A "collect request" asks you to approve a payment to someone. If you did not expect it, decline it.
7. Never share OTPs or screen access
No genuine shop, bank or app needs your OTP, PIN or screen-sharing access. Do not install apps a caller asks you to install.
8. Use only official apps and support
Get help from your bank or payment app's official in-app support. Do not trust customer care numbers from random search results or messages.
If something goes wrong
If money is debited but the payment failed, it is usually reversed automatically; check your app after some time. For a wrong or fraudulent payment, report it immediately in your payment app and to your bank. In India you can also report cyber fraud at the national helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in.