If you use bank accounts or UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, this news is crucial for you. Starting April 1st, banks and UPI service providers will be deactivating inactive accounts and UPI IDs.
If you use banking services or UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm via your mobile phone, this is important information. From April 1st, unused mobile numbers will be removed from bank accounts and UPI apps. This will directly affect users who haven't recharged their numbers for a long time.
NPCI's Major Decision: Inactive Numbers to be Deactivated
According to media reports, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has instructed banks and UPI apps to remove all inactive mobile numbers from their systems by March 31st. This measure aims to enhance the security of digital transactions and prevent technical issues.
Old Numbers Pose a Risk, Increased Fraud Potential
Mobile numbers that haven't been used for a long time, if reissued to another user, can increase the chances of banking fraud. For the new user, the old banking information associated with that number can create technical difficulties. This is why the NPCI has implemented this decision to maintain the security of UPI transactions.
Mobile Number is Your Identity
In the UPI payment system, the mobile number is the most crucial identifier. It ensures that your money reaches the right person. If your number is deactivated and reissued to someone else, it can lead to payment failures and other problems. This is the reason for the directive to remove such numbers from the banking system.
How to Check if Your Number is Active?
If your mobile number is linked to your bank account and you haven't recharged it for a long time, you should contact your telecom operator (Jio, Airtel, Vi) as soon as possible to confirm whether your number is still active. If the number is deactivated, reactivate it immediately by recharging it.
Mobile Numbers Can Be Deactivated in 90 Days
Reports suggest that a mobile number may be deactivated if it remains un-recharged for 90 days. However, telecom companies usually provide a 15-day grace period to reactivate the number. If it remains un-recharged after this period, the number may be completely deactivated and reissued to another person.
Compliance with NPCI's New Rules is Mandatory
The NPCI has instructed banks and UPI apps to update the list of deleted mobile numbers weekly to ensure that inactive numbers are removed from the system. If your number hasn't been recharged for several months and is registered with the banking or UPI payment system, activate it immediately.
This step has been taken to make digital payments more secure and reduce the chances of fraud. Therefore, if you use UPI payments, activate your number as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.
