With UPI transactions skyrocketing in India, concerns around privacy and security have been growing too. One major issue has been that UPI IDs were often directly linked to a person’s mobile number, making it easier for scammers to misuse that information. To tackle this, big payment apps like Paytm and Google Pay are now rolling out a feature that lets users create their own custom UPI ID.
Why Custom UPI IDs Matter
Until now, many UPI IDs were automatically generated using your phone number. That meant every time you made a payment, your number was exposed. With this update, you can create a unique, alphanumeric UPI ID — think of it like an email-style handle — that hides your phone number. This extra layer of privacy makes UPI payments safer without losing the convenience.
How to Set It Up
The setup process is simple. On Paytm, for example, just go to Profile → UPI & Payment Settings. There, you can see your existing accounts and IDs and choose to create a new custom ID. You can mix letters and numbers to make it personal and easy to remember. There’s also an option to add backup UPI IDs, which can help if one ID runs into a technical issue during a transaction.
Backed by Stronger Regulations
This move also ties in with broader changes being made at the regulatory level. From October 2, new rules around payment requests will come into effect, aimed at further tightening security. Together, these steps — both from apps and regulators — are designed to make digital payments in India not just quick and seamless, but also much more secure for everyone.
