Bank / UPI Fraud Refund: What to Do Now

Act within hours, not days. Report the fraud to the cyber crime helpline 1930 and to your bank immediately – how fast you report decides how much you can get back.

Do this right now: call 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) or report at cybercrime.gov.in, then call your bank to block UPI, cards and net banking.

Your liability under RBI rules

RBI’s customer-protection rules for unauthorised electronic transactions limit what you lose if you were not at fault:

SituationYour liability
Fraud due to the bank’s fault or a system breach, whether or not you reportZero
Third-party breach (neither you nor bank at fault), reported within 3 working daysZero
Same, reported in 4–7 working daysLimited, capped by account type
Loss due to your negligence (e.g. sharing OTP or PIN)Full loss until you report; bank bears loss after reporting

Step by step

  1. Report on 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in and note the acknowledgement number.
  2. Report to the bank in writing (app, email or branch) with the transaction IDs. Ask for a complaint number.
  3. The bank should credit the amount (a “shadow reversal”) within 10 working days of your report where you are not liable, and resolve the complaint within 90 days.
  4. Keep screenshots, call logs, SMS and the fraudster’s UPI ID or number.
  5. If the bank refuses or delays, complain to the RBI Ombudsman after 30 days.

Common UPI frauds

  • “Scan this QR to receive money” – you never need a PIN to receive money.
  • Fake customer-care numbers from search results.
  • Screen-sharing apps installed at a caller’s request.
  • Fake “digital arrest” calls claiming to be police, CBI or customs.

This is general information, not legal advice. For more details, do consult a lawyer or a subject-matter expert about your own case.

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