Can I get my money back if I make a payment to the wrong number using UPI? Learn from an expert

News Topical, Digital Desk : From villages to cities, UPI is now being used for payments in almost every location. Using the UPI app, you can transfer money in just a few minutes. The advent of UPI has also reduced the risk of cash theft. 

But what if your payment is transferred to the wrong number or UPI ID within minutes? The biggest question is whether a payment made to the wrong number can be recovered. Let's find out what experts have to say about this.

We spoke with Mukesh Pandey, Director of RupeePaisa, about this matter. He explained how we can recover payments made to the wrong account/number/UPI ID. What steps should we take?

What did the expert say?

He said that as UPI payments have become easier these days, cases of accidentally sending money to the wrong number have also increased. According to experts, money sent to the wrong account can be recovered, but it depends entirely on how quickly you take action.

First, contact your bank branch or customer service without delay and provide the transaction's UPI ID. The bank will request the recipient to refund the amount. If the recipient agrees, the money is easily refunded. However, if they refuse, the matter can be escalated to the RBI Ombudsman through the bank.

According to NPCI, approximately 12–15% of UPI complaints in 2024 were related to money being sent to the wrong account, most of which were resolved only after people reported them promptly. Therefore, it's best to double-check the name and number before each transaction.

Rohit Mahajan, Founder and Managing Partner of Pluto One, said that the NPCI has established a clear and systematic dispute resolution framework. If a transaction has successfully reached a legitimate account and turns out to be a fraudulent one, the bank or NPCI cannot simply refund the money.

Under the process, NPCI first ensures that there is no fraud risk for either party and then obtains the recipient's consent. In such a situation, it is necessary to file a complaint, which can be done through the bank/UPI app or NPCI's online complaint system. On the other hand, in the event of a technical error, failed transaction, or dispute, the refund process is more straightforward.

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