How to Report UPI Fraud in India? Steps to be Taken by UPI Scam Victim

Can you recall a telephonic encounter with a stranger throwing tips and tricks to dig out your UPI pin? We guess the answer is a YES and most probably that’s the reason you are here. Mobile wallets like GPay, BHIM, Paytm, etc. have proved to be a boon in terms of inter-bank and intra-bank transactions. But, as we all know every technological advancement comes with a loophole, these wallets are no exception to it. That is the reason you must know how to report UPI fraud online.
Within a few couples of years of its launch, the UPI apps have proved their mettle but at the same time fraudsters and hackers have figured out ways to steal your hard-earned money. There are instances wherein the scammers trick you into clicking malicious links via SMS or emails, or scanning QR Codes which then directs you to a UPI gateway prompting you to enter your PIN in order for you to receive a payment/claim a gift. The moment you enter your UPI pin, the amount instead of being credited gets debited right under your nose. Alternatively, the fraudsters meet the same motive by tricking you cleverly on phone calls as well. You losing your money to such a con implies a UPI fraud.
Thousands of UPI users have lost lakhs and crores of worth in total falling prey to gimmicks of scammers, the recent case being that of Vinod Kambli, a renowned cricketer who lost Rs 1.14 lakhs to a UPI scam. If you or someone who is known to you happens to be a UPI scam victim, continue reading.
How to respond to a UPI fraud or a monetary loss due to a UPI scam?
As soon as you notice suspicious transactions happening with your account or you have already been a victim of a UPI fraud, be very immediate to take screenshots of transactions, note the transaction ID and beneficiary account details.
This is the info that’s going to pave chances for you to get your money back. Change your PINs and MPINs thereafter. Take the following actions if you have lost your hard-earned money to a scammer or a UPI fraud
1) Lodge a Complaint with Cyber Cell
A UPI fraud can turn the entire table for you within a matter of seconds, hence, you are required to be quick with your response. Lodge a complaint within 2 hours of fraud by calling the cyber cell helpline number 155260 or filing a complaint at National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. You can also rush to your nearest cyber cell and lodge a written complaint about the UPI scam you have been the victim of. Also, this reporting of the UPI fraud will help you to keep a track of the proceeding of the case and action taken during the investigation.
2) Report the UPI fraud To Your Bank
Immediately contact your bank giving the representative the complete details, the quicker you report UPI fraud the safer your money will be. Though time-consuming and less preferable, you can alternatively mail your respective branch along with all the screenshots and shreds of evidence you collected.
Request the representative to block your bank account which will be processed after a few verification steps, this will put every transaction at a halt. Reporting within 3 days of the fraud increases your chances of loss recovery.
3) Contact The UPI Platform
Since you have been the victim of a UPI fraud, you must be using either of these UPI payment apps viz Gpay, PhonePe, Paytm, Bhim, etc. Call the toll free numbers of these service providers to register your complaint. These platforms often provide you with details that strengthen your complaint lodged with the bank and police.
What can you do to prevent UPI frauds from happening?
Be super-vigilant while surfing the internet and avoid giving your precious credentials such as mobile numbers, emails addresses, etc. on random websites, hoping you will get freebies in return. In the end, these are details that act as lead for the hackers to get in touch with you with evil intentions.
Do not provide your UPI pins to any person regardless of the organization they are calling from. And remember you don't have to enter your UPI Pin to receive money.
Install an active protection app like FinLock that helps you recognize potential threats and fraudulent UPI QR codes well in advance. And not just this, if under a worst-case scenario you still happen to make the mistake, the application provides you top-notch assistance in reporting the fraud along with giving you an insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh.
Fraudsters aren’t smart souls but simply the evils booming on your carelessness and lack of alertness.