UPI AutoPay Warning: Is Money Being Deducted Without Your Notice? Here’s How to Stop It Instantly
In today’s fast-paced digital world, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become an essential part of everyday life. From paying for groceries to settling utility bills, everything can now be done within seconds. To make recurring payments even more convenient, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced the UPI AutoPay feature.
While this feature is designed to simplify payments like mobile recharges, OTT subscriptions, and monthly bills, it is increasingly becoming a source of concern for many users. Several people are unknowingly losing money from their bank accounts due to active AutoPay mandates.
Why Is Money Getting Deducted Automatically?
The main reason behind these unexpected deductions is the AutoPay mandate that users often approve without paying much attention.
For example, when you sign up for a free trial or a one-month subscription on platforms like streaming services, apps prompt you to enable AutoPay. Once the trial ends, the system automatically starts deducting the subscription fee from your account.
Many users make the mistake of simply uninstalling the app, assuming the payment will stop. However, the AutoPay mandate continues to remain active in the background. As a result, money keeps getting debited every month—often without users realizing it.
Important Tip: Deleting an app does NOT cancel AutoPay. You must manually disable it.
How to Turn Off UPI AutoPay on Popular Apps
If you want to stop unwanted deductions, follow these simple steps on major UPI platforms:
1. PhonePe
- Open the app and tap on your profile icon
- Scroll down to Payment Management
- Select AutoPay
- You will see a list of active subscriptions
- Choose the service you want to stop
- Tap on Remove AutoPay or Delete
2. Paytm
- Go to your Profile section
- Tap on UPI & Payment Settings
- Select UPI Automatic Payments
- Choose the active subscription
- Click on Cancel Automatic Payment
3. Google Pay
- Tap your profile icon (top right corner)
- Go to Settings or find the Autopay section
- Open the Live/Active payments list
- Select the subscription you want to cancel
- Tap Cancel and enter your UPI PIN to confirm
Smart Ways to Avoid Unwanted Deductions
To stay in control of your money, follow these practical tips:
✔ Check Monthly
Review your AutoPay list at least once a month to ensure no unnecessary subscriptions are active.
✔ Set Reminders for Free Trials
Whenever you start a free trial, set a reminder one day before it ends. This gives you enough time to cancel before charges apply.
✔ Watch Small Charges
Monthly fees like ₹199 or ₹299 may seem small, but over a year they can add up to thousands. Only keep AutoPay active for services you genuinely use.
✔ Stay Alert with Notifications
Enable transaction alerts from your bank or UPI apps to track every deduction in real-time.
Conclusion
UPI AutoPay is undoubtedly a convenient feature, but it requires careful monitoring. Ignoring active mandates can lead to silent and repeated deductions from your account.
By regularly reviewing your subscriptions and taking a few preventive steps, you can ensure that your hard-earned money stays secure. Stay informed, stay alert, and make smart digital payment choices.
