Unified Payments Interface(UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India. The interface facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions. It is used on mobile devices to transfer funds between two bank accounts instantly.
BACKGROUND TO ADVENT
India has always been frustrated by the money being laundered out of the country, illegal money moving easily within the country, this hurts the economy and strengthens the offenders, therefore Indian government was working with the relevant authorities in India like RBI, NPCI, etc. to ensure a cashless economy that is trackable by the government itself, this led to the advent of UPI, which is giving tough competition to visa and MasterCard and making the life of vendors and customers easily.
Setting Up UPI for Making Payments
In order to link your bank account with the Unified payment interface, you will first need to download a UPI-enabled mobile app from the app store, such as BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm. Once the app is installed, open it and register it by providing your personal details such as your name, mobile number, and email address. After verifying your mobile number via an SMS code, you will be prompted to create a unique UPI ID which will be used for making and receiving money transfers. Next, link your bank account to the UPI app by selecting your bank from a list and providing your account number and IFSC code. To complete the process, set a UPI PIN for authorizing transactions.
Advantages of UPI
- The user registers with a UPI-enabled bank and creates a virtual payment address (VPA), a unique identifier similar to an email address.
- Users can then use their VPA to send or receive money from any other UPI-enabled bank account.
- 3. To make a payment, the user can use a UPI app or the mobile banking app of their bank. They can then enter the recipient’s VPA, the amount, and the PIN to complete the transaction.
- 4. The funds are transferred instantly and the user receives a confirmation of the transaction.
- 5. To receive money, the user can share their VPA with the sender, who can then use it to transfer the funds.
SCAMS
Like most other payment-oriented systems, a unified payment interface is also not immune to scams but it mostly relies on the user himself
As long as you do not give someone your UPI ID and PIN, or other personal information, no one can take over your account, people might email you they are from your bank or might call you as well, all you need to do is don’t share anything if someone is calling from your bank, they already have your records, also try using well-recognized UPI payment apps and only share information to trusted websites.
