1. The scam often starts outside UPI

A scammer may begin with a fake marketplace buyer, courier call, refund message, job offer or customer-care number. UPI becomes the final payment tool after the victim has already been pressured or confused. The best defence is noticing when a stranger creates urgency, asks you to bypass normal processes or tells you exactly what buttons to press.

Tip: Treat urgency plus payment instructions from a stranger as a risk signal.

2. Collect requests can look like incoming money

A collect request is a request for you to pay. If you approve it and enter your UPI PIN, money can leave your account. Scammers may describe the same screen as “accept the refund.” Ignore the story and read the app: who is paying whom, how much, and what action are you authorizing?

Note: The label on the screen matters more than the caller explanation.

3. QR codes do not send money to you by magic

Scanning a QR code is normally a way to identify where a payment should go. If someone says “scan this QR to receive money” and the next screen asks you to pay, stop. Remote-access and screen-sharing apps can expose notifications, banking screens and credentials. Do not let an unknown person control your phone to fix a payment issue.

Note: Do not install remote-control software or share your screen because a caller claims to be support.

4. Use official support and protect secrets

Never reveal your UPI PIN, OTP, card PIN or password to a person. Banks and UPI support teams do not need you to read out the secret that authorizes your funds. If something goes wrong, open the bank or UPI app yourself and use support options there. Do not trust a number that appears only in a random search result or message.

Tip: You choose the support channel. Do not let the scammer choose it for you.

5. Quick check

A “buyer” says they will pay you ₹3,000 but first asks you to scan their QR code and enter your UPI PIN. What should you do?