The use of digital payments has increased rapidly in India. Thanks to UPI (Unified Payments Interface), people now send and receive money instantly without carrying cash. Just one tap on the phone is enough to complete a transaction. But sometimes, this speed can lead to mistakes. One small typing error can send your money to the wrong UPI ID.
Now, what should you do if your money goes to someone else by mistake? Will you get it back? If yes, how? This article will help you understand the right steps you need to take immediately.
Digital Mistakes Are Common — But Refund Depends on Your Speed
UPI is fast and easy, but also sensitive. Just one wrong digit in the UPI ID, mobile number, or QR code can send your money to an unknown person. Many people panic in such situations, but you should act smart and act quickly. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) have clear rules for such cases. If you follow them in time, there’s a good chance of getting your money back.
Step 1: Try Talking to the Recipient First
If your money goes to the wrong person’s account by mistake, try to contact them first. If the UPI app shows their name or number, you may be able to talk to them politely and explain the mistake. Sometimes, people return the money on their own.
But if that person refuses or does not respond, then move to the next step without wasting time.
Step 2: Contact UPI App Customer Care
Each UPI app like PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM etc. has its own customer care support. Call them or use the app’s help or support option to raise a complaint. You need to give details like:
- UPI Transaction ID
- Date and time of the transaction
- Amount transferred
- Wrong UPI ID or number where the money went
Once they verify your complaint, they may help you escalate it further to the bank or NPCI.
Step 3: File a Complaint with Your Bank Immediately
Your bank is also responsible for helping in such cases. Visit or call your bank branch or customer care, and report the wrong UPI transfer. Provide them with all transaction details. The bank will then raise a dispute with the recipient’s bank. If the receiver agrees that the transfer was a mistake, the amount can be returned to your account.
Banks generally take 7–10 working days to resolve UPI disputes. But the sooner you report, the higher your chance of getting a refund.
Step 4: File a Complaint with NPCI – Must Do Within 48 Hours
If your bank or app does not resolve the issue or you want to speed up the process, file a complaint directly with NPCI. You can do this online or by calling their helpline.
NPCI Helpline Number: 1800-120-1740
You can also file a complaint online using the following steps:
- Visit NPCI’s website: www.npci.org.in
- Click on the ‘Get in Touch’ section
- Enter your name, email, and mobile number
- Click on ‘Dispute Redressal Mechanism’
- Choose “Incorrectly Transferred to Another Account” as your complaint reason
- Enter your UPI transaction ID, date, app used, and amount
- Submit the complaint
NPCI will follow up with your bank and try to get your money back if your case is genuine.
Step 5: You Can Also File a Complaint on the RBI Portal
If none of the above works, you can raise the matter with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). RBI has an online complaint portal called the CMS (Complaint Management System).
Steps to file your complaint:
- Visit: https://rbi.org.in
- Go to the “Complaints” section
- Choose “Digital Transaction” as the reason
- Fill out your details and submit your case
This step should be your last option if you do not get help from the bank or NPCI.
Why You Must Act Within 48 Hours
As per RBI’s latest UPI refund guidelines, you must raise the complaint within 48 hours of the wrong transaction. If you delay, your chance of getting the money back becomes very low. The bank or NPCI may not help if they receive your request after this time limit.
So after every transaction, always keep the SMS or confirmation message safe. Never delete it unless you are sure the money reached the right person.
Refund Time May Vary Based on Banks
If both sender and receiver have accounts in the same bank, the refund process is usually faster. But if the accounts are in different banks, it may take a few more days. That’s because interbank coordination takes time.
NPCI and RBI both suggest raising a formal complaint early, so the banks can freeze or reverse the funds before the receiver withdraws or spends the money.
Important Tips to Avoid Wrong UPI Transfers
- Always double-check the UPI ID or phone number before pressing “Pay”
- Use QR codes instead of typing UPI ID when possible
- Enable notifications and SMS alerts for all transactions
- Avoid making payments in a hurry or when distracted
- If unsure, make a test payment with ₹1 first
Sources: Zee Business Hindi, RBI, NPCI
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. The refund process depends on bank response and recipient cooperation. Refund is not guaranteed if the complaint is delayed.
