NPCI Reinforces ‘Stop, Think, Act’ to Strengthen Consumer Protection in Digital Payments

Pune, 06 February 2025: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the organisation driving innovation and powering India’s digital payment revolution has reiterated its commitment to enhancing consumer safety in digital payments by advocating the ‘Stop, Think, Act’ principle. As digital transactions continue to grow, NPCI urges users to remain vigilant and adopt best practices to safeguard themselves against fraud.

Growing Adoption of UPI and the Need for Digital Safety

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a key driver of digital transactions in India, accounting for 83% of total payment volume in CY-2024. In January 2025, UPI processed 16.99 billion transactions, reflecting a 39% year-on-year growth in volume and a 28% year-on-year growth increase in transaction value. Over the past five years, UPI adoption has soared at a CAGR of 74%, making it the largest retail payment system in transaction volume. Since its inception, UPI has onboarded over 460 million unique users, facilitating digital transactions across various segments.

NPCI’s Multi-Layered Security Framework

UPI stands out not only for its convenience but also for its robust security framework, which ensures the integrity of every transaction. NPCI employs advanced protocols and stringent safeguards such as device binding. The feature links a user’s account to a specific mobile device, ensuring that a third party cannot access it without the registered mobile device. Furthermore, UPI incorporates a two-factor authentication that requires users to verify their identity using their mobile number and the user’s UPI PIN before authorising any transaction.

Consumer Advisory: How to Stay Safe?

While UPI is equipped with robust security features, fraudsters continue to exploit social engineering tactics. Consumers must remain cautious of scams.

NPCI advises all UPI users to follow the ‘Stop, Think, Act’ principle:

· STOP before responding to unexpected calls, messages, or emails requesting personal or banking details

· THINK and verify requests by checking official sources such as company websites or customer service helplines

· ACT wisely by avoiding suspicious requests and immediately reporting fraud attempts to the relevant authorities

How to report a Fraud?

Users who suspect fraud should report incidents immediately. Suspicious cases can be reported to the national cybercrime helpline (1930) or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in). The user should also report the case to their bank. Additionally, users should save messages, take screenshots, and document interactions to help authorities take action.

By staying informed and alert, users can enjoy the convenience of digital payments while keeping their money safe. UPI is committed to ensuring a secure and seamless digital payment experience for everyone across India.