Jaipur: Amid the rapid growth of digital payments, Rajasthan Police has issued a public advisory warning citizens about mistakes during UPI transactions and explaining how users can recover money if it is accidentally transferred to the wrong account.
With the increasing use of digital payments under Digital India, payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have become common. However, typing errors, wrong mobile numbers, or hurried payments can sometimes lead to money being transferred to an unintended recipient.
Cybercrime officials say people should not panic if such an incident occurs, but must act quickly to improve the chances of recovering the funds.
Four Steps to Recover Money After a Wrong UPI Transfer
1. Secure Digital Evidence Immediately
As soon as the mistake is discovered, users should take a screenshot of the transaction and note the UTR (Unique Transaction Reference) number, a 12-digit code that helps track the transaction. This number is crucial for initiating the recovery process.
2. Raise a Dispute in the UPI App
Users should open the transaction history in their payment app—such as Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm—and select the “Report a Problem” or “Raise a Dispute” option. Informing the payment service provider immediately helps trace the transaction faster.
3. Inform Your Bank
Customers should contact their bank or visit the nearest branch as soon as possible and report the incorrect transfer. Key details to provide include:
Beneficiary’s UPI ID
Transaction time
Amount transferred
UTR number
Banks can initiate recovery procedures when the issue is reported promptly, in accordance with guidelines from the Reserve Bank of India.
4. Contact NPCI if Needed
If the issue is not resolved through the bank or the payment app, users can escalate the complaint to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) through its portal or helpline 1800-120-1740.
Police Advisory: Prevention Is the Best Protection
According to instructions issued by the state police leadership, the cybercrime unit has urged citizens to adopt basic safety practices while making digital payments:
Always verify the recipient’s name after scanning a QR code or entering a mobile number.
Avoid making payments under pressure from unknown callers or suspicious requests.
Remember that receiving money never requires entering a UPI PIN or scanning a QR code.
Where to Report Cyber Fraud
If any cyber fraud is suspected, users should immediately report it through:
National Cyber Crime Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
Cyber helpline: 1930
Cyber helpdesk numbers: 9256001930 / 9257510100
Officials emphasize that prompt reporting significantly increases the chances of recovering lost money in cases of digital payment errors or fraud.
