UPI Payment Security: Cybercriminals will no longer be able to commit fraud. The option to request money over UPI has been discontinued.

UPI Payment Security: NPCI has taken a major step to prevent UPI fraud. The collect request feature is being discontinued from October 1st. Let's find out the reason behind this.

UPI Payment Security: UPI (Unified Payment Interface) is going to transform online payment methods. In today's fast-paced life, transactions worth thousands of rupees can be completed in seconds with just one click. This has made everyday life cashless and much easier. Whether it's splitting a bill at a restaurant or borrowing money from a friend, UPI has become an essential tool for digital transactions. But now, a major change is coming that will impact millions of users. Let's find out what this change is.

New Changes in UPI Transactions

The National Payments Corporation of India has announced that the person-to-person 'Collect Request' or 'Pull Transaction' feature will be discontinued from October 1, 2025, i.e. today. Apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm will no longer allow users to send payment requests directly to friends, relatives, or acquaintances.

What is the UPI 'Collect Request' Feature?

This feature allowed one person to send a payment request to another user by entering their UPI ID. For example, if you needed to receive money from a friend, you could send them a request through your UPI app. After your friend accepted the request and entered their PIN, the money would be transferred to your account. This feature was very convenient, but it also became increasingly dangerous over time. Let's find out how.

Why was this feature dangerous?

Although this feature was designed for convenience, it also provides significant benefits to fraudsters. Scammers would send fake requests to unsuspecting users and trick them into making payments. Although the National Payments Corporation of India had previously lowered the request limit to ₹2,000 to prevent misuse, fraud continued. Now, to curb this fraud, this feature is being permanently discontinued.

Merchants will still have access.

Importantly, this feature will not be completely discontinued. Merchants like IRCTC, Flipkart, Amazon, or Netflix will be able to send payment requests to customers for ticket bookings, shopping, or subscriptions. This feature is being restricted only to person-to-person transactions.

How will it affect users?

After this feature is discontinued, starting October 1, 2025, you will no longer be able to request money from friends or relatives using UPI collect requests. To transfer money, you will need to use a QR code, the receiver's UPI ID, or a mobile number linked to UPI.

This feature is being discontinued to enhance the security of digital payments. This step will provide greater protection against scams. Users are advised to always thoroughly verify payment requests before transferring money and ensure the funds are being transferred.