BENGALURU, 20 MARCH

From 1 April onwards, banks and payment service providers will suspend Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services linked to inactive or reassigned mobile numbers. The move, initiated by the National Payments Corporation of India, aims to prevent fraudulent and unauthorised transactions arising from mobile number churn.

With Bengaluru being one of India's top digital transaction hubs, the risk of fraud linked to inactive mobile numbers has become a growing concern.

When users change or deactivate their phone numbers, the linked UPI accounts often remain active, making them vulnerable to misuse. Fraudsters could exploit these dormant links to gain unauthorised access to bank accounts. To counter this, banks and PSPs will delink inactive numbers from the UPI ecosystem.

The banks will notify affected users before deactivation of their UPI services. Bengaluru’s fintech ecosystem, including digital-first businesses, must adapt swiftly to avoid transaction failures.

As the city moves closer to becoming a cashless economy, keeping banking credentials updated is crucial for uninterrupted digital payments.

How to keep caution

The users should check if their mobile number is active by making a call, sending a message or verifying receipt of the bank’s OTPs and SMS alerts. They can also update their UPI-linked phone number via net banking, UPI apps or by visiting a bank branch.

Businesses, freelancers and merchants, who rely on UPI transactions, must ensure that their registered mobile numbers remain valid to avoid payment disruptions.