Starting April 1, UPI won't work for these users
What's the story
In a major policy change, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps such as PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay will be affected. Starting April 1, 2025, mobile numbers linked to UPI that have remained inactive for a long time will be deleted from bank accounts.
Cybercrime concerns
Inactive numbers can cause technical glitches, fraud
The NPCI's decision comes in light of the increasing number of cybercrime cases. As per India TV, inactive mobile numbers can cause technical glitches in banking and UPI systems. The problem occurs when telecom providers reassign these unused numbers, possibly opening doors for fraudulent activities. To avoid such risks, it is important for users to link an active mobile number with their bank account for seamless UPI transactions.
Verification process
Users must verify number activity
UPI users are advised to check the status of their linked mobile numbers with their telecom provider. If a number is inactive or hasn't been recharged for a long time, users should either reactivate it immediately or update their bank account with a new mobile number. This proactive measure will ensure uninterrupted UPI transactions and help prevent potential cybercrime risks associated with inactive numbers.
Record updates
NPCI has directed banks and UPI apps to update records
The NPCI has also asked banks and UPI apps to check their records of inactive mobile numbers on a weekly basis. This order is aimed at ensuring that only active mobile numbers are linked with bank accounts for UPI transactions. By doing this, the NPCI hopes to further minimize the risk of cybercrime and technical issues in India's banking systems.