Scammers using new tricks to fool people into giving them money, Here is how not to fall in the trap under UPI

New UPI Scam 2023: UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a real-time inter-bank digital payment system in India. It is a platform that facilitates the instant transfer of money between any two bank accounts using a virtual payment address (VPA). This instant payment system is receiving accolades from around the world; however, UPI is also in the crosshairs of scammers.

The modus operandi of the scammers is simple, they create a fake sense of urgency, call during odd hours to sound genuine, playing on the emotions and lack of tech know-how of elderly people.

A person on Reddit has shared his ordeal, "A person called my dad at midnight." He said he transferred money by mistake to the wrong phone number as he was in a hurry at some hospital. He had to pay the bill and requested to transfer the money immediately to his phone number to pay off the bill."

The scammer also shared a fake screenshot with the victim, the screen was had a 'Arrow Mark' pointing to the victim's number. The redditor states that the UPI ID was "Something like bharatpe<phone_number>@yesbankltd."

The scammer in



this case faked an emergency situation, saying that he transfered the money using UPI by mistake, and that he has to pay bills at an Hospital.

The platform was launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and is now the preferred method of payment for millions of people in India.

UPI enables a user to send and receive money, pay bills, check bank account balances, and view transaction history through a mobile app. The platform integrates with all major Indian banks, making it easier for customers to transfer money and make payments without having to remember the bank account number and IFSC code of the recipient.

Do not believe anyone who says they have transferred 'X' amount of money by mistake, cross check with your SMS and balance.

Never share your UPI OTP with anyone

Never share your UPI PIN with anyone

Be aware of 'Collect Requests' where scammers claim debit reversal, refund etc

Be Aware of Misleading UPI Handles