UPI & Digital Payment Safety

UPI made payments easy — and made scams easy too. This 10-minute read can save you real money. HOW UPI ACTUALLY WORKS UPI links your bank account to an app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM). You send money using a UPI ID or QR code, and confirm with your secret UPI PIN. THE ONE RULE THAT STOPS MOST SCAMS You NEVER need to enter your UPI PIN, scan a QR, or approve a "collect request" to RECEIVE money. A PIN is only ever needed to SEND money. Anyone asking you to enter a PIN "to get your prize/refund" is trying to take money from you. COMMON SCAMS TO RECOGNISE • "Scan this QR to receive money": scanning a QR only SENDS money. There is no receive-QR. It's a scam. • Fake payment screenshot: a "buyer" sends a screenshot claiming they paid. Always check your own bank/app balance before handing over goods. • Remote-access apps: never install AnyDesk / TeamViewer / "QuickSupport" because a "bank/helpline" told you to. They will watch your screen and steal your PIN. • Fake customer-care numbers: scammers post fake "helpline" numbers on Google. Only use the number printed on your bank card or the official app. • KYC / account-block SMS: "Your account will be blocked, click this link." Banks never ask for PIN/OTP by SMS or call. Don't click. • OTP sharing: never read out an OTP to anyone. An OTP is a key to your money. SAFE HABITS 1) Keep your UPI PIN secret — not even family "for a second". 2) Turn on a screen lock and an app lock on payment apps. 3) Verify the name shown before sending; send ₹1 first for large/new payments. 4) Set a daily transaction limit in your app. IF YOU GET SCAMMED — ACT FAST Call the national cyber-crime helpline 1930 immediately and report at cybercrime.gov.in. Also call your bank to freeze the account. The first hour matters most for getting money back.