How to Delete UPI Account After Phone Theft: Block SIM & Secure Your Phone

Everyone has a smartphone in their hands. Features like UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and internet banking for cashless transactions have made smartphones more popular and an essential part of our daily lives. Due to internet banking, people have forgotten to visit banks for money transactions. Now, transferring money, paying bills, recharging your phone, booking tickets, or online shopping can be done easily with a click.

The number of smartphones in the country has rapidly increased, but along with it, cases of smartphone theft and related fraud have also risen.

According to government statistics, approximately 50,000 mobile phones are stolen each month in the country. Such incidents can occur anywhere, whether on a bus, train, or in the market. When a mobile phone is stolen, people fear the most about their personal and financial data being leaked. Sometimes, criminals may use your SIM card for illegal activities.

In such situations, it is crucial to immediately block your UPI account and SIM card in case of smartphone theft or loss. Therefore, in today’s news, we will discuss how to delete your UPI ID if your phone is stolen. You will also learn:

• What immediate actions to take if your phone is stolen
• How to block your SIM card

Question – What is UPI and how does it work?

Answer: UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, is a real-time payment system. It allows money transfers between bank accounts 24/7. It is completely free to use and requires no minimum amount for money transfers.

To transfer money using UPI, you need a payment app on your smartphone such as Phone Pay, Paytm, Google Pay, or BHIM, which should be linked to your bank account. Once set up, you can easily use UPI apps for transactions.

Question – Why is it necessary to block your UPI ID if your smartphone is stolen?

Answer: Your UPI ID is your unique identifier. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, it can be misused. This could drain your bank account, so it’s crucial to block your UPI ID immediately if your phone is stolen.

Question – How to block a UPI account in case your smartphone is stolen or lost?

Answer: If your smartphone is lost or stolen, you should not wait for customer care to block your UPI account, as this process can sometimes take time. You can block your UPI ID using any other smartphone. You’ll need to call customer care from another phone and provide some details. If the details match, your UPI account will be blocked.

Question – What precautions should be taken regarding the SIM card if the phone is stolen or lost?

Answer: The biggest issue when a smartphone is stolen or lost is the SIM card. The SIM card stores personal information such as contact numbers and text messages. Sensitive data like bank account details may also be linked to the SIM card. Therefore, you should immediately block the SIM card if your mobile phone is stolen or lost.

Question – How to block a SIM card if the phone is stolen or lost?

Answer: If your mobile phone is stolen, you should immediately switch off the SIM card, as it can be used for illegal activities. Additionally, if the SIM card is linked to a bank account, OTPs will also be sent to that number.

Question – Can a stolen or lost phone be blocked?

Answer: Yes. Mobile phones contain personal data like photos and videos, which can be misused. If your phone is stolen or lost, you can block it remotely using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) website from home. This will render the phone useless to the thief.

If, under any circumstances, the phone is recovered, users can also unblock it with the help of CEIR.

Steps to block a mobile phone:

Step 1: Report the theft or loss to the nearest police station first. You can also file a complaint online through the police department’s portal. This will generate an FIR number for the stolen smartphone. If someone misuses your phone later, you will not be held responsible.

Step 2: Visit the CEIR portal to block the mobile phone and its IMEI number. The police can track the phone if it is used after this.

Question – How to file a complaint on the CEIR portal?

Answer: To file a complaint on the CEIR portal in case of a lost or stolen phone, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the CEIR website at https://www.ceir.gov.in/Home/index.jsp.
2. Upon opening the website, three options will appear: Block/Lost Mobile, Check Request Status, and Unblock Found Mobile.
3. Click on the Block/Lost Mobile option to block the stolen phone.
4. Enter all details related to your mobile phone.
5. Details required include mobile number, IMEI number, device company name, phone purchase invoice, and date of loss.
6. Additionally, provide the state, district, area where the phone was stolen, and complaint number.
7. Upload a copy of the police complaint.
8. Click on Add More Complaint and enter information such as the mobile owner’s name, address, and identity proofs like Aadhaar card, PAN card, and driving license.
9. Enter any active mobile number to receive an OTP.
10. Complete the verification process.

This way, you can block your mobile phone and ensure no misuse occurs.