Fintech platform PhonePe has introduced a new security framework called ‘PhonePe Protect’ to safeguard users from fraudulent transactions and enhance trust in digital payments.
According to the company, the feature alerts users when they attempt to make payments to potentially suspicious numbers by displaying a ‘PhonePe Protect’ warning. It also provides insights into the risks involved when transactions are blocked for security reasons.
The framework includes a mechanism that identifies and blocks transactions to mobile numbers flagged as suspicious by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) initiative. PhonePe said that its system actively detects such risks in real time during the payment process and intervenes immediately once any threat is identified. Users receive on-screen notifications that help them make informed decisions, ensuring a safer transaction experience.
As an early adopter of DoT’s FRI, PhonePe stated that it has used the tool to automatically decline payments to numbers with a Very High FRI rating while displaying alerts through ‘PhonePe Protect’. For numbers marked as Medium FRI, the app shows proactive warnings before allowing users to proceed with the transaction.
“The introduction of this new feature builds on a key collaboration showcased at the 2025 India Mobile Congress (IMC), where the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recognised PhonePe for combating cyber frauds through the early implementation of its AI-based Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) tool. PhonePe, in turn, demonstrated how ‘PhonePe Protect’ uses this crucial DoT tool to actively safeguard users during transactions,” the company said in a statement.
Commenting on the launch, Anuj Bhansali, Head of Trust and Safety at PhonePe, said, “At PhonePe, payment security is paramount, and it has implemented several initiatives to safeguard our customers. ‘PhonePe Protect’ represents our vision of creating a financial ecosystem where security is seamlessly embedded into every transaction. With this feature, we have developed a robust security system that shields our user base (which was over 61 crore as of March 31, 2025) from cyber threats in real time. This is more than just a security feature; it is our commitment to building a safer digital payments ecosystem for India.”
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