Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized the way Indians carry out financial transactions, whether it’s for shopping or transferring money between bank accounts. With millions of transactions occurring daily through UPI apps, the system has significantly simplified the payment process. However, despite its convenience, errors can still occur—such as sending money to the wrong UPI ID or mobile number, often due to typing mistakes or being in a rush. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover such funds, ranging from directly contacting the unintended recipient to lodging a complaint with the RBI. All these methods are outlined here to help you retrieve your money.
Accidentally transferring money to the wrong UPI ID is a common mistake, often caused by rushing or typing errors. It can happen to anyone, but there’s no need to panic if it happens to you. By following a few simple steps, you can increase the chances of getting your money back. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself in such a situation:
Reach out to the recipient directly
If the UPI ID is linked to a phone number, try contacting the person directly. Clearly explain the mistake and politely request them to return the money.
Register a complaint instantly on the UPI app
The first few minutes after the transaction is processed are crucial. As soon as you realise the mistake, immediately lodge a complaint through the UPI app through which you made the transaction whether it is Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm or BHIM. These platforms have a built-in support section where you can lodge a complaint.
To lodge a complaint, first go to your transaction history, select the wrong transfer and click on ‘Raise a Dispute’ or ‘Report an Issue’ option. After this, provide complete details like wrong UPI ID, transaction ID, amount transferred and date of payment so that your complaint can be resolved quickly.
Contact your bank
Along with the UPI help section, users should also contact their bank’s customer service. Most banks have a set procedure for UPI complaints. Inform the bank representative about the wrong transaction and request them to initiate the reversal process. In some cases, the bank may ask for a written complaint or ask you to visit the branch. The bank then officially traces the amount and tries to reverse it.
Register a complaint with NPCI
If the options mentioned above do not work, you can take the matter to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which manages the UPI system. For this, you have to go to the official website of NPCI and fill the online complaint form under the ‘Dispute Redressal Mechanism’. In this process, you will have to provide proof such as transaction related information, your contact details and bank statement.
Contact RBI Ombudsman
If the problem is not resolved even after a month, you can escalate the matter and file a complaint with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Ombudsman for Digital Transactions. This official process can prove to be helpful in resolving issues especially in cases involving transactions of large amounts. You can also use the RBI’s Complaint Management System portal to lodge a complaint.
