UPI Safety: Easy Tips to Protect Digital Money in Your Family

UPI has made daily payments effortless, but this convenience can also open doors to fraud. Fake refund links, cloned customer-care numbers, screen-sharing apps, and tampered QR codes can drain accounts with just one small mistake. To safeguard family finances, it’s essential to establish clear digital money rules at home.

1. Implement Simple In-House Rules

Set clear rules for all family members:

• Never approve any ‘collect’ request without verifying it.

• Never share OTP or UPI PIN with anyone, even family.

• Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources.

Special attention should be given to children and elders who are less digitally savvy. Remind them that banks, NPCI, or UPI apps never ask for PIN or OTP. For large transactions, designate one responsible person, and ensure other members confirm before sending money.

2. Reduce Risk with Account Settings

A common mistake is linking UPI to the main savings account. Instead:

• Link UPI to a low-balance account.

• Set transaction limits in your bank or UPI app.

• Activate in-app limits and frequency controls where available.

These steps limit potential losses if an account is compromised.

3. Device and QR Code Safety

• Lock your phone with a strong password or biometric security.

• Enable app-level lock (PIN/fingerprint) for UPI apps.

• Check QR codes carefully before scanning; request a new code if it appears altered or tampered.

• Avoid payments over public Wi-Fi and do not install unknown apps.

4. Act Quickly on Suspicious Transactions

If any transaction seems suspicious:

• Immediately contact your bank to block the account.

• File a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Portal or local police.

• Enable transaction alerts and SMS notifications to detect issues quickly.

Prompt action increases the chances of minimizing losses.

Summary: Protecting digital money in a family is about rules, vigilance, and quick response. Using a separate account for UPI, monitoring transactions, checking QR codes, and educating all members can prevent fraud and secure your finances