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One UPI mistake and your money is gone? Will you get your money back if it's transferred to the wrong account? Know the complete rules.
Siddhi Jain | January 31, 2026 4:15 PM CST

UPI: Today, UPI has become a part of our daily lives. Whether it's sending money to someone, buying vegetables, or online shopping, payments are made with just one click.

Today, UPI has become an integral part of our daily lives. Whether it's sending money to someone, buying vegetables, or online shopping, payments are made with just one click. But this speed can sometimes lead to big problems. As soon as you look at the screen after making a payment and realize that the money has gone to the wrong UPI ID or the wrong account, panic is inevitable. Whether the amount is small or large, the immediate thought is that the money is lost.

The UPI system is designed in such a way that the money reaches the recipient's bank account instantly. As soon as the transaction shows as successful, the money has already left your account and gone into the receiver's account. There is no cooling-off period or automatic reversal option. This is why it becomes difficult to get the money back after a wrong transfer.

According to the law, once the money reaches another account, the bank cannot take that money back without permission, even if the mistake was unintentional.

If you want your money back, the most important thing is the consent of the recipient. According to the rules, checking the correct details before making a payment is considered the sender's responsibility. In such cases, the bank does not give a second chance and cannot return the money automatically.

If a wrong UPI transfer occurs, you should first file a complaint in the same app you used to make the payment. Almost every UPI app has a Dispute or Wrong Transfer option within the transaction history. Filing a complaint here doesn't guarantee an immediate refund, but it registers your case.

After this, your bank contacts the recipient's bank and informs them that money has been mistakenly deposited into their account. If the recipient agrees to return the money, the amount can be credited back to your account within a few days.

However, if the recipient refuses to return the money, the bank can't do much either. It's not possible to deduct money from an account without the account holder's permission. In such a situation, filing a police complaint is advised, but even this doesn't guarantee that you'll get your money back.

This is the harsh reality of UPI. When everything works correctly, the system seems incredibly easy and fast, but a small mistake can be very costly. Therefore, the safest approach is to carefully check the recipient's name and UPI ID before making a payment to avoid any regrets later.


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