Unreliable experience with UPI (via bank account) lately

[vijay.vj]

Lately I'm observing UPI sometimes can go bonkers. I'm talking about cases where money is debited from bank account but will remain pending. I primarily use gpay but seen this across apps.

For example.. Today early morning, I paid Uber auto via gpay at ~3 AM. Money debited but transaction remained pending.
I waited for 5 mins, nothing changed. I ended up paying cash for the ride and Uber person said he would transfer back the amount if he gets via UPI. I was expecting may be I will receive refund.

However transaction is successful at 5 AM (took more then 2 hours) and the Uber person is not responding.

Any idea what are my options here...

I'm very skeptical about using UPI anymore after such an experience... especially doing UPI at unknown vendors. Is it time to move back to cash or credit card?

 

[SSV]

Lately I'm observing UPI sometimes can go bonkers. I'm talking about cases where money is debited from bank account but will remain pending. I primarily use gpay but seen this across apps.

For example.. Today early morning, I paid Uber auto via gpay at ~3 AM. Money debited but transaction remained pending.
I waited for 5 mins, nothing changed. I ended up paying cash for the ride and Uber person said he would transfer back the amount if he gets via UPI. I was expecting may be I will receive refund.

However transaction is successful at 5 AM (took more then 2 hours) and the Uber person is not responding.

Any idea what are my options here...

I'm very skeptical about using UPI anymore after such an experience... especially doing UPI at unknown vendors. Is it time to move back to cash or credit card?

Very simple.. load into any Wallet on UPI app and pay using upi there. I rarely use upi using bank account..

Note: I only read title of your thread..not the post

 

[Aniket]

Lately I'm observing UPI sometimes can go bonkers. I'm talking about cases where money is debited from bank account but will remain pending. I primarily use gpay but seen this across apps.

For example.. Today early morning, I paid Uber auto via gpay at ~3 AM. Money debited but transaction remained pending.
I waited for 5 mins, nothing changed. I ended up paying cash for the ride and Uber person said he would transfer back the amount if he gets via UPI. I was expecting may be I will receive refund.

However transaction is successful at 5 AM (took more then 2 hours) and the Uber person is not responding.

Any idea what are my options here...

I'm very skeptical about using UPI anymore after such an experience... especially doing UPI at unknown vendors. Is it time to move back to cash or credit card?

Here you go:

Have you kept any proof that you have paid using cash when they payment went in pending status?

Then contact Uber, submit the proof and ask for refund.

Other ways are bit...

There isn’t much you can do when the issue stems from NPCI or the receiver’s bank. In other cases, UPI Lite or a UPI wallet, etc. might come in handy.

 

[Aniket]

Very simple.. load into any Wallet on UPI app and pay using upi there. I rarely use upi using bank account..

Note: I only read title of your thread..not the post

Bro it's not only sender's bank has downtime or outrage, there it will work, but what will you do in case when the NPCI remains at fault like yesterday? Not only that even in case of receiver's/ beneficiary's bank?

 

[CosmicCat]

In other cases, UPI Lite or a UPI wallet, etc. might come in handy.

Even UPI Lite and PPI-based UPI can go bonkers if NPCI's systems themselves are down.

In order to keep yourself away from troubles:

1. Pray to God(s) each time before initiating a UPI payment.
2. Keep ample cash in your wallet.

 

[vijay.vj]

Here you go:
View attachment 92396
Have you kept any proof that you have paid using cash when they payment went in pending status?

Then contact Uber, submit the proof and ask for refund.

Other ways are bit...

There isn’t much you can do when the issue stems from NPCI or the receiver’s bank. In other cases, UPI Lite or a UPI wallet, etc. might come in handy.

Uber right away denied any involvement, money matter is between user and rider. That they are no way involved.
Logically speaking, without money getting reflected on their app... no one will move an inch away.

 

[Aniket]

Even UPI Lite and PPI-based UPI can go bonkers if NPCI's systems themselves are down.

In order to keep yourself away from troubles:

1. Pray to God(s) each time before initiating a UPI payment.
2. Keep ample cash in your wallet.

Seems you missed: There isn’t much you can do when the issue stems from NPCI or the receiver’s bank. In other cases, was mentioned there. 😂

Not only that below 👇 comment as well.

Bro it's not only sender's bank has downtime or outrage, there it will work, but what will you do in case when the NPCI remains at fault like yesterday? Not only that even in case of receiver's/ beneficiary's bank?

 

[vishalgupta2]

I don't use UPI anywhere except physical shops within 2-3 km radius of my home or work for exact same reason.

UPI is years away from becoming a reliable payment method to use like a credit card. I don't see any improvement coming anytime soon.

 

[SSV]

Lately I'm observing UPI sometimes can go bonkers. I'm talking about cases where money is debited from bank account but will remain pending. I primarily use gpay but seen this across apps.

For example.. Today early morning, I paid Uber auto via gpay at ~3 AM. Money debited but transaction remained pending.
I waited for 5 mins, nothing changed. I ended up paying cash for the ride and Uber person said he would transfer back the amount if he gets via UPI. I was expecting may be I will receive refund.

However transaction is successful at 5 AM (took more then 2 hours) and the Uber person is not responding.

Any idea what are my options here...

I'm very skeptical about using UPI anymore after such an experience... especially doing UPI at unknown vendors. Is it time to move back to cash or credit card?

Very simple.. load into any Wallet on UPI app and pay using upi there. I rarely use upi using bank account..

Note: I only read title of your thread..not the post

Bro it's not only sender's bank has downtime or outrage, there it will work, but what will you do in case when the NPCI remains at fault like yesterday? Not only that even in case of receiver's/ beneficiary's bank?lay, as I said before, I didn't read the post and read only the title.

Right now I am extremely busy..so you guys can continue the discussion.
I wanted to say quite a few more things in detail but cant continue discussion becauseof time constaints...
Anyway for me , I had done thousands of transactions using payzapp and MK ( using upi on Wallet) in the last 2 to 3 years, never they failed ie money debited from my account and not credited into receiver's account..
With that experience I made that quick comment..
I may join the discussion later, meanwhile enjoy...

 

[vishalgupta2]

Lately I'm observing UPI sometimes can go bonkers. I'm talking about cases where money is debited from bank account but will remain pending. I primarily use gpay but seen this across apps.

For example.. Today early morning, I paid Uber auto via gpay at ~3 AM. Money debited but transaction remained pending.
I waited for 5 mins, nothing changed. I ended up paying cash for the ride and Uber person said he would transfer back the amount if he gets via UPI. I was expecting may be I will receive refund.

However transaction is successful at 5 AM (took more then 2 hours) and the Uber person is not responding.

Any idea what are my options here...

I'm very skeptical about using UPI anymore after such an experience... especially doing UPI at unknown vendors. Is it time to move back to cash or credit card?

Unfortunately, the fact here is that you are at the mercy of the Auto guy being nice to return your money.

Of the parties involved,
Uber: will say it's between you and the driver
Your bank will say you did the transaction, please discuss with gpay or beneficiary
Gpay will tell you you should’ve waited and I am sure there will be something in their terms protecting them

 

[vijay.vj]

Exactly, its all good as long as transaction is success.
If its pending, no one can help you. ICICI denied any help cuz its peer to peer txn.

As per our telephonic conversation, your transaction amount of Rs. 140.00 from ICICI Bank was successfully credited to the beneficiary MOHAMMAD AMER account XXXXXX0871 on April 13, 2025 02:47:00 a.m with RRN 546977966366.

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused as your request to raise a charge back was not processed through the person-to-person transaction.

In case the beneficiary has not received the amount, then please share the reference number with the beneficiary, to check with their bank.

 

[praful47]

Usually between 12 midnight to morning 6 a.m. bank servers goes under maintenance.
Online transfer don't work there ... Be it neft rtgs or UPI

 

[CosmicCat]

Exactly, its all good as long as transaction is success.
If its pending, no one can help you. ICICI denied any help cuz its peer to peer txn.

As per our telephonic conversation, your transaction amount of Rs. 140.00 from ICICI Bank was successfully credited to the beneficiary MOHAMMAD AMER account XXXXXX0871 on April 13, 2025 02:47:00 a.m with RRN 546977966366.

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused as your request to raise a charge back was not processed through the person-to-person transaction.

In case the beneficiary has not received the amount, then please share the reference number with the beneficiary, to check with their bank.

That's really unfortunate. NPCI should introduce guidelines to either approve or reject a transaction within a particular time frame since the money is remitted from the remitter's bank account. Otherwise, the customers are always going to be in paranoia before even thinking to do UPI transaction.

Also, stick to cards for riding services if you're going to transact in the midnight. You're less likely to run into issues when you use cards.

 

[vishalgupta2]

That's really unfortunate. NPCI should introduce guidelines to either approve or reject a transaction within a particular time frame since the money is remitted from the remitter's bank account. Otherwise, the customers are always going to be in paranoia before even thinking to do UPI transaction.

Also, stick to cards for riding services if you're going to transact in the midnight. You're less likely to run into issues when you use cards.

+1

I don't remember doing any UPI transaction ever between 12-6. I have heard people tell me it's rare to have transactions go to pending state. Idon't have data but I think pending rate for me has been > 1%, which in financial world is extremely high. Add to that the stress of checking multiple times over days.

I use UPI only and only if that's the only option I have. For transportation, during my travel (mostly work related) I use blusmart and keep money in blusmart wallet (loaded through credit card). Especially in NCR region, I don't touch Uber/Ola coz most cabs are incredibly dirty.