UPI And Card Payments at Petrol Pumps May Be Stopped from May 10 Amid Cyber Fraud Surge In Some Cities Of Maharashtra
UPI And Card Payments at Petrol Pumps May Be Stopped from May 10 Amid Cyber Fraud Surge In Some Cities Of Maharashtra
Fuel dealers across Maharashtra to suspend UPI and card transactions, demand government safeguards against rising scams.
Starting May 10, consumers across Maharashtra—and possibly beyond—may face disruption at petrol pumps as fuel station owners plan to halt all digital payment modes, including UPI and card transactions, due to increasing cyber fraud cases.
The decision, announced by multiple petroleum dealers’ associations, comes in response to a surge in digital payment scams. Several pump owners have reportedly incurred significant financial losses due to fraudulent transactions made via hacked cards or compromised net banking accounts. In many instances, banks have reversed payments after fraud complaints, leaving dealers unpaid and financially burdened.
According to The Times of India, petrol pump associations in Vidarbha, Nashik, and other regions are supporting the move. The Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers Association cited a steep rise in fraud cases where hackers used illicitly accessed bank details to make fuel payments, only for the transactions to be later canceled by authorities. This has led to frozen bank accounts and severe cash flow issues for fuel station operators.
Amit Gupta, President of the Federation of All Maharashtra Petroleum Dealers Association, confirmed that digital payments will be suspended starting May 10 unless the government steps in with strong preventive measures. “We have communicated our concerns to the authorities. Until we get a firm assurance on cyber fraud control, pump owners are left with no choice but to safeguard their businesses,” he said.
The Maharashtra Petrol Pump Association is coordinating the rollout of this decision. While currently confined to Maharashtra, the move could prompt similar actions in other states if the issue remains unaddressed.
Commuters relying on cashless payments are advised to carry alternative payment options to avoid inconvenience at fuel stations in the coming days.
