Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on new ways to make digital payments safer as fraud cases continue to rise.
With the rapid growth of UPI and online transactions, scams have also increased.
To tackle this, RBI has released a discussion paper with new safety ideas and invited public feedback until May 8.
The goal is simple: keep payments fast, but make them more secure.
Why Digital Fraud Is Becoming a Big Concern
As more people use digital payments, fraudsters are finding new ways to cheat users.
Common scams include:
Fake customer care calls
Phishing links
Mule bank accounts
AI-based impersonation
Since digital payments are instant, once money is sent, it is often very hard to recover.
That’s why RBI wants to add extra protection.
5 Key Safety Measures Proposed by RBI
One-Hour Delay for Big Transactions
RBI is planning a cooling-off period for large payments.
Transfers above ₹10,000 may be delayed by 1 hour
This gives users time to cancel or report suspicious transactions
‘Trusted Person’ for Extra Security
For senior citizens and high-risk users, RBI suggests adding a trusted contact.
- Transactions above ₹50,000 may need approval from this person
- Especially useful for people above 70 years or vulnerable users
To prevent misuse:
Changing the trusted person will take 24 hours
Opting out will also have a 24-hour delay
Emergency ‘Kill Switch’
RBI is considering a powerful safety feature — a kill switch.
Users can instantly block all digital payments linked to their account
Payments can only be reactivated with strong verification or bank visit
Users may also get the option to set transaction limits, just like debit/credit cards.
Risk-Based Limits on Accounts
To stop misuse of bank accounts, RBI plans stricter checks.
Accounts may have a limit of ₹25 lakh per year unless fully verified
Suspicious transactions may be held temporarily or reversed
This ensures better control without affecting genuine users too much.
Real-Time Fraud Detection
Banks may soon use AI-based systems to track fraud in real time.
Unusual transactions can be flagged instantly
Helps prevent losses before money is transferred
What This Means for You
These changes are designed to protect users without making payments difficult.
For you, it means:
More control over your transactions
Better protection against fraud
Slight delays only for high-risk payments
The Big Picture
RBI’s plan shows a clear shift — from just making payments faster to making them safer and smarter.
If these rules are implemented, digital payments in India could become much more secure, helping users avoid costly mistakes and scams.
