UPI to be disabled on These numbers from April 1; Here’s why

Banks and payment service providers will have to update mobile numbers every week. In case the user transacts through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and their mobile number linked to the bank has been inactive for a long time, get it activated immediately. Otherwise, the user may face difficulty making payments. The new rule related to the UPI payment service will come into effect on April 1.

In this, such mobile numbers linked to the bank account have not been active for a long time or have been reactivated after being closed. They will be removed from the UPI system. This change will affect those users who have an old or closed number linked to their bank account.

The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), the organization that regulates UPI, has instructed banks and payment service providers to de-link such mobile numbers. At the same time, NPCI may also stop the pull transaction feature soon.

Decision taken to stop cyber fraud

NPCI has taken this decision to prevent cyber fraud and unauthorized transactions. Many times, after mobile numbers are switched off, telecom companies allow them to be used by another user. In such a situation, the risk of fraud on bank accounts linked to the old number increases.

For this reason, NPCI has directed banks and UPI apps like Google Pay, Phone Pay, or Paytm to identify inactive mobile numbers every week and remove them from their systems. This means that if your number does not remain active for a long time, it may automatically be removed from the bank's records.

An alert message will be sent before stopping the service

Users will be sent an alert message to stop UPI service. If a mobile number remains inactive despite the warning, it will be removed from the UPI system. 

How to keep active?

• Find out whether your mobile number is active or not by calling or messaging someone.
• Confirm with your telecom provider whether the number is registered in your name or not.
• Make sure you are receiving SMS alerts and OTPs from your bank.
• A request to change the UPI service will be sent to the user. If a mobile number remains inactive despite the warning, it will be removed from the UPI system.

How to keep UPI active?

• Find out whether your mobile number is active or not by calling or messaging someone.
• Confirm with your telecom provider whether the number is registered in your name or not.
• Make sure you are receiving SMS alerts and OTPs from your bank.
• If your number has been closed and the number has been allotted to someone else, then go to the bank and get the new number linked.
• Update your UPI-linked mobile number through net banking, ATM, or by visiting the bank branch.
• Update your number and bank details in UPI apps like Google Pay, Phone Pay, and Paytm.

NPCI may remove the pull transaction feature

Cases of fraud are increasing due to bridge transactions through UPI. In such a situation, NPCI is preparing to set a limit on the pull transaction feature in payment apps or remove it. According to the NDTV report, NPCI is making a plan with banks on how to stop or eliminate bridge transactions. However, this plan is still in the initial stage.