Imagine that you are at a grocery store, and after purchasing groceries, you make payment at the store using QR code at the store by putting your UPI pin, you receive a message that the payment is successful, and the amount is debited from your account, but the store owner says that he has not received the payment made by you.
You then start checking your bank statement, and it shows money debited from your account, but the receiver has not received it. Now what?
This problem can happen to anyone in India using digital payment apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or BHIM UPI. Not receiving a credited amount after a debit is a common and frustrating issue.
The good news is that there is a clear process for getting the amount refunded to your account.
In this article, you’ll learn:
• How to write a professional complaint letter to your bank
• Email format you can copy and send immediately
• RBI refund rules and timelines
• Downloadable Word and PDF templates
• Step-by-step escalation process if your bank doesn’t help
Let’s solve this problem together.
Download Ready-to-Use Complaint Letter Templates
We have created a professionally written complaint letter template that you can instantly download, fill in the required details, and submit to your bank without any confusion. These templates follow proper banking format and include all the details required by the bank as per RBI complaint guidelines.
📄 Download Editable Word Format
(Easy to customize on a computer)
👉 Click here to download the Word format.
📑 Download Fillable PDF Format
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Problems with UPI transfers can appear in various ways, with each scenario demanding its own approach to filing a complaint. When your UPI app refuses to work at all or keeps displaying technical glitches, our comprehensive resource on UPI not working complaint letter format can help you address the matter properly.
For instances where a transfer displays a failed message despite funds leaving your account, our resource on UPI transaction failed complaint letter format offers the right guidance. That said, when funds get deducted from your account without reaching the intended recipient, you’re dealing with a refund situation where the money typically remains stuck in the banking settlement process temporarily. This piece concentrates specifically on how to file refund complaints for UPI payments where money has been debited but hasn’t reached the recipient.
Why UPI Money Gets Debited But Not Credited?
Before we come to a conclusion and start downloading the letter, it is better to understand the reason for the amount debited but not credited, which will help resolve the issue.
Common Reasons:
- Bank Server Delay – Sometimes your bank’s server processes the payment, but the receiver bank’s server is slow or temporarily down, so the payment is stuck in transit and the amount isn’t credited to the beneficiary.
- Network Failure – If the phone’s internet connection is unavailable or the internet is down while making a payment, an error will be displayed on the screen, and the payment might get stuck. Your bank debits the money, but the payment is not reeived by the other bank.
- NPCI Technical Glitch – NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) manages UPI. Sometimes there is a technical issue in their system during peak hours, which causes a system error, resulting in a payment being debited from your account and the amount not being credited.
- Wrong UPI ID or Phone Number – Entering the wrong UPI ID or phone number causes payment failure. Your account is debited and the money must be reversed.
- Payment Timeout – If a UPI transaction takes too long to process due to a technical reason, a timeout error occurs. The amount gets debited, but the payment is not processed.
- App-Related Issues – Sometimes the app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) shows an error, but in the background, your bank has already processed the payment. In such cases, the amount gets debited from your account.
Knowing how refunds work can ease your stress when facing these issues. In cases where funds leave your account without reaching the recipient, the payment enters a settlement phase involving your bank, NPCI, and the beneficiary’s bank. Your bank starts by processing the transfer request. NPCI then confirms the details and forwards the transaction to the recipient’s bank. Should the recipient’s bank not acknowledge the credit, NPCI triggers a reversal mechanism that sends the funds back to your account. This typically resolves itself without intervention, though there are instances when you’ll need to lodge a formal complaint to recover your money.
In most cases, the UPI transaction is automatically resolved, and the amount is credited to your bank account within 3 working days. But if the amount is not reversed to your account in such cases, you can raise a complaint.
Difference Between Failed UPI Transaction vs Debited But Not Credited
Many users confuse a failed UPI transaction with a debited but not credited transaction. In a failed transaction, the payment is usually declined and money is not transferred to the receiver bank.
However, in debited but not credited cases, the amount is successfully deducted from your account but gets stuck during settlement or verification stages. Understanding this difference is important because refund timelines and complaint procedures can vary depending on the transaction status.
RBI Rules for UPI Refund Timeline
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clear rules to protect you. Your bank must follow these guidelines:
• T+1 Working Day Rule – If your UPI transaction amount was deducted but not received by the merchant or person, your bank should automatically reverse the money within T+1 days. ‘T’ means the transaction date. If your payment failed today (Monday), you should receive your refund by Tuesday.
• Maximum 5 Working Days – If the amount is not automatically refunded, and you have raised a complaint with the bank. In such a case, the bank needs to resolve it within 5 working days. This is the maximum time allowed by the RBI.
• Compensation for Delay – If your bank takes longer than 5 days after taking the complaint, you are entitled to compensation of ₹100 per day for the delay.
• Zero Customer Liability – If the failed transaction was due to a technical error (not your fault), the bank cannot charge you anything. The entire refund amount should come back to your account.
Important Note: Working days mean Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. So if your transaction failed on Friday, the T+1 refund would be issued on Monday (the next working day).
Things to Check Before Writing a Complaint Letter
Before writing a letter to the bank, you need to do a basic check on your side. This will help resolve the complaint more quickly.
Pre-Complaint Checklist:
• Check Your Transaction Status – Open your UPI app and check the transaction status. Sometimes it shows ‘Pending’ or ‘Failed’. Take a screenshot of this.
• Note down the UTR Number – The UTR number plays a crucial role in tracking your refund. Banks use this unique transaction reference number to trace the movement of money between your bank, NPCI settlement system, and the receiver bank. Whenever you contact customer support, the first detail they request is the UTR number. Without this number, it becomes difficult for banks to locate your transaction details. Always keep a screenshot or written record of your UTR before raising any complaint.
• Take Screenshots – Take clear screenshots of:
(a) the failed transaction message
(b) money debited from your bank statement
(c) the UTR number
These will be your proof.
• Contact UPI App Support First – Most UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) have in-app support. Raise a complaint there first. Wait 24-48 hours. If they don’t resolve it, then approach your bank.
• Check if Money Came Back – Sometimes the refund happens automatically, but with a different message or description. You need to check your bank account statement to see whether you have received the refund.
• Wait for T+1 Day – Give it one working day. As per RBI rules, auto-reversal happens within T+1 day. If it has not been refunded, you need to file a written complaint with the bank.
Once you’ve completed this checklist, you’re ready to write a professional complaint letter to your bank.
Complaint Letter to Bank Manager – Format and Sample
Here’s a professional UPI failed transaction complaint format that you can use. This letter provides all the details your bank requires to resolve the issue more quickly.
Sample Complaint Letter:
Date: [Current Date]
To,
The Branch Manager
[Bank Name]
[Branch Address]
Subject: Complaint Regarding UPI Transaction – Amount Debited But Not Credited
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am writing to bring to your kind attention a UPI transaction issue. I made a UPI payment, but the amount was debited from my account even though the beneficiary did not receive it.
Transaction Details:
Account Holder Name: [Your Name]
Account Number: [Your Account Number]
Transaction Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Transaction Time: [HH:MM AM/PM]
Transaction Amount: ₹[Amount]
UTR Number: [12-digit UTR]
UPI App Used: [Google Pay/PhonePe/Paytm/Other]
Beneficiary UPI ID/Phone Number: [Receiver’s UPI ID]
The payment failed, and the beneficiary confirmed they have not received the amount. However, the money has been debited from my account, as visible in my bank statement.
As per RBI guidelines on failed UPI transactions, the amount should be auto-reversed within a T+1 working day. Since more than [number] working days have passed, I request that you kindly look into this matter urgently and credit the amount to my account at the earliest.
Attached Documents:
- Screenshot of failed transaction
- Bank statement showing money debited
- UTR number reference
I request you to resolve this issue and refund the deducted amount within the stipulated time as per RBI regulations.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
Mobile: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email]
Pro Tip: Keep a copy of this letter for your records. If you’re submitting it in person, ask the bank to stamp and sign your copy as acknowledgment.
Email Complaint Format to Bank
If you prefer to email the bank’s customer service department, there is a shorter version of the UPI dispute complaint letter. You can copy and paste into the email body, enter the necessary details, and send.
To: [Bank’s Customer Service Email]
Subject: UPI Failed Transaction – Amount Debited But Not Received – Urgent Refund Request
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a customer of [Bank Name] with Account Number: [Your Account Number].
I made a UPI payment on [Date] at [Time] through [App Name]. The transaction failed, but the amount of ₹[Amount] was debited from my account. The beneficiary has not received the money.
Transaction Details:
UTR Number: [12-digit number]
Amount: ₹[Amount]
Date & Time: [DD/MM/YYYY, HH:MM]
UPI App: [App Name]
It has been [number] working days since the transaction, and I have not received the auto-refund as per RBI’s T+1 day rule.
I request that you investigate this matter urgently and credit the amount to my account. I have attached screenshots for your reference.
Looking forward to your quick resolution.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Mobile: [Your Number]
Customer ID: [If applicable]
Important: Attach clear screenshots of the failed transaction and bank statement when sending the email.
📥 Download Templates Now
Save your time! Download ready-to-use email templates for complaints. Just fill in your details and submit to your bank.
These templates already include all important fields, so you don’t need to worry about formatting.
📄 Word Format for Email complaint
✔ Fully editable on a computer
✔ Easy to print and submit
📑 PDF Format for Email complaint
✔ Fill easily on mobile or computer
✔ Clean and ready-to-submit format
👉 Download Fillable PDF Template
These templates are created in accordance with RBI guidelines and bank-approved formats. They’re being used by thousands of UPI users to get their money back!
What if the bank does not refund the money?
If the bank delays in responding to your complaint, there is no need to worry; there is a proper escalation process in place. Here’s what you should do step by step:
Step 1: Raise a Complaint with Your Bank
If your UPI application is completely not functioning, you may use this UPI not working complaint letter format. First, submit your complaint letter to the bank branch or email the bank. Keep proof of submission (like an acknowledgment receipt or email confirmation).
Wait for: 5 working days.
Step 2: Escalate to the Bank’s Grievance Redressal Officer
If the branch doesn’t respond or resolve your issue, escalate to the bank’s Grievance Redressal Officer. You can find their contact details on your bank’s official website under the ‘Customer Grievance’ or ‘Customer Service’ section.
How to escalate:
• Visit your bank’s website
• Go to ‘Customer Service’ or ‘Grievance Redressal.’
• Fill the online grievance form or send an email to the Grievance Officer
• Mention your original complaint reference number
Wait for: 30 days maximum (most banks respond within 15 days)
Step 3: File a Complaint with the RBI Banking Ombudsman
If your bank still doesn’t refund your money after 30 days, you can file a complaint with the Reserve Bank of India’s Banking Ombudsman. This is a free service.
How to file:
- Visit: https://cms.rbi.org.in
- Click on ‘File a Complaint’ or ‘Lodge a Complaint Online.’
- Fill in all details (bank name, transaction details, complaint history)
- Upload supporting documents (complaint letters, UTR, screenshots)
- Submit and note the complaint reference number
Important Conditions:
• You must have already raised the issue with your bank
• Either the bank didn’t reply within 30 days, or you’re not satisfied with their response
• File within 1 year from the date you received the bank’s response (or 1 year + 30 days if they didn’t respond)
The Banking Ombudsman is very effective. Most complaints are resolved within 30-60 days.
Step 4: File Cyber Crime Complaint (If Fraud Suspected)
If you suspect fraud or if someone scammed you through UPI, you should also file a cybercrime complaint alongside the bank complaint.
How to file:
• Visit: https://cybercrime.gov.in
• Click ‘Report Other Cyber Crimes’
• Select ‘Financial Fraud’ > ‘UPI Related Frauds’
• Fill in all details and submit
Note: This step is only if you were scammed or there’s suspected fraud. For regular technical UPI failures, stick to Steps 1-3.
NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) manages the entire UPI infrastructure and acts as the settlement network between banks. Every UPI payment passes through NPCI, which verifies transaction details and ensures funds are transferred correctly.
If any technical error occurs during payment routing, NPCI initiates reconciliation between banks. This is one of the major reasons why refund delays sometimes occur during peak transaction hours or server maintenance periods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does a UPI refund take?
According to RBI rules, a failed UPI transaction should be auto-reversed within a T+1 working day. This means if your payment failed today, you should get your money back tomorrow (if it’s a working day). If the auto-refund doesn’t happen, banks have up to 5 working days to manually process the refund after you raise a complaint.
2. Can a UPI payment be reversed?
Yes, if the UPI payment failed (money debited but not credited to the receiver), it can and will be reversed. However, if the payment was successful and the receiver got the money, you cannot reverse it. In that case, you would need to request the receiver to send the money back to you.
3. What is a UTR number?
UTR stands for Unique Transaction Reference. It’s a 12-digit number assigned to every UPI transaction. Think of it like a tracking number for your payment. This number is crucial when you raise a complaint because it helps the bank identify your exact transaction among millions of transactions happening daily. You can find the UTR number in your UPI app transaction history or on your bank statement.
4. Who is responsible for the refund – the app or the bank?
Your bank is responsible for the refund. UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm are just intermediaries – they connect you to the banking system through NPCI. When a transaction fails, the money is held by the bank, not the app. That’s why you need to raise a complaint with your bank. However, you can first try contacting the app’s customer support, and they might help you connect with the bank.
5. Can I complain directly to RBI?
No, you cannot directly complain to the RBI as the first step. RBI’s Banking Ombudsman is an escalation mechanism, not the first point of contact. You must first raise your complaint with your bank and give them 30 days to respond. Only if the bank doesn’t resolve it or you’re unhappy with their response can you approach the RBI Banking Ombudsman.
6. Do I need to pay any fee to raise a complaint?
No, raising a complaint with your bank or with the RBI Banking Ombudsman is completely free. There are no charges. If anyone asks you for money to ‘help resolve’ your UPI issue, they’re likely trying to scam you. Stay away from such people.
7. Will I get compensation if the bank delays my refund?
Yes! If your bank takes longer than 5 working days to refund your money after you’ve raised a complaint, you’re entitled to compensation of ₹100 per day for every day of delay beyond the 5-day limit. Make sure to mention this in your complaint if applicable.
Conclusion
Getting your money stuck in a failed UPI transaction can be stressful, but remember – you have clear rights under RBI rules. Banks are legally required to refund your money within T+1 working day, and if not, within 5 working days after your complaint
Don’t forget to download our ready-to-use complaint letter templates (Word and PDF formats) from the top of this article. They’ll save you time and ensure you include all necessary details.