UPI payment has become quite popular not only in India but all over the world. This technology of India is now being used by many countries of the world. But mistakes can also happen in UPI payment. There are some mistakes that are noticed only when they happen. That means transfer of money to the wrong place. It may be possible that the UPI ID is incorrect, or there has been a typing error, or you may have selected the wrong name from your contacts. And by then, the money is gone. Because UPI is designed to be instant and irreversible, there is no “undo” button. That’s why the steps you take after this matter a lot. What should be done in such a situation so that your money is returned? Let us try to understand this in some detail
take the easiest way
Before making complaints and getting into formal procedures, it is better to try the easiest option. If you have details of the recipient of the money, contact them and explain what has happened. Surprisingly, many cases are resolved at this stage, especially when it is clearly an unintentional mistake. But if there is no response, or the person refuses to return the money, then you will have to take the matter more seriously.
Inform your bank as soon as possible
As soon as you realize your mistake, your next step should be to inform your bank. Don’t think too much about it or wait to see what happens next. Use your UPI app or your bank’s customer support to lodge a complaint immediately. Most apps have the option to “Report Issue”. Using it ensures that a correct record of the transaction is created on your behalf, which can be useful to you later. You can also file a complaint through BHIM app or NPCI portal. This may seem like an extra step, but it moves your case through the system rather than getting stuck in just one channel.
If no solution is found, escalate the matter
If you do not see any progress, the next step is to escalate the matter within the bank. Every bank has a Grievance Redressal Mechanism, which is usually handled by a nodal officer or a senior team. You may feel that you are repeating your point again and again, but this step is very important. This proves that you have followed the entire process, and adds weight to your complaint if you need to take your complaint further.
If necessary, complain outside the bank also
If the bank is unable to resolve the matter, you have a more formal option. You can approach the RBI Ombudsman under the ‘Integrated Ombudsman Scheme’ by filing a complaint through the ‘Complaint Management System’. Think of it as an independent escalation, where someone outside the bank looks into your case.
Be clear about boundaries
Even if you follow every step properly, there is no guarantee that the money will be returned. If the person who received the money flatly refuses to return it, and there is no fraud or system glitch involved, the bank may not reverse the transaction at its own discretion. At that point, it becomes a legal matter and not a banking matter.
It is better to avoid the problem than to fix it.
In the case of UPI, it is more important to exercise caution than trying to get your money back. Spending a few extra seconds double-checking the UPI ID, verifying the name shown on the screen, or sending a small test amount before sending a larger amount can save you a lot of trouble later on. Because once the money is gone, it is much more difficult to get it back than sending it.