Old UPI IDs: Is Your Bank Account at Risk?

Deleting a UPI app from your phone does NOT deactivate your UPI ID. Old, unused IDs linked to recycled phone numbers can let strangers access your bank account. Here is what you must do right now to stay safe.

Here's what happened: Uninstalling a UPI app like PhonePe, GPay, or Paytm does NOT cancel your registered UPI ID — it stays active on the bank's server.. When you change your mobile number, telecom companies recycle old numbers and give them to new users — who can then access your linked UPI ID.. Active UPI autopay mandates (like OTT subscriptions or EMI payments) keep running even after you abandon an old UPI ID or number..

What you should do: Log into each UPI app you have ever used and formally deactivate or delete your UPI ID from within the app settings before uninstalling.. Call your bank's customer care or visit a branch to delink any UPI IDs registered on phone numbers you no longer use.. Check and cancel all active UPI autopay mandates by opening your UPI app, going to 'Manage Mandates' or 'Recurring Payments', and revoking ones you don't recognise..

You can have up to 10 UPI IDs linked to one bank account across different apps — check your bank's official website or net banking portal to see the full list and deactivate old ones instantly.