Petrol Pumps Across India Halt UPI and Card Payments Amid Rising Cyber Fraud

Amid growing concerns over online fraud and cybercrime, petrol pump owners and petroleum companies across India have decided to stop accepting payments through UPI and debit-credit cards from Saturday, May 10, 2025.

The move comes in response to a surge in cyber fraud targeting digital transactions at fuel stations. According to the Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers Association, petrol pump owners in several cities are reporting significant financial losses due to these cyberattacks.

Petrol pumps in Nagpur, Maharashtra, are among the first to implement a complete ban on digital payments. Owners there have confirmed that they will no longer accept UPI, cards, or other online modes of payment. This sudden change has caused inconvenience to customers, as over 60% of fuel payments are typically made through digital platforms.

The decision was triggered by a series of incidents in which small payment failures were initially ignored. However, as these failures became more frequent and involved larger amounts, petrol pump owners raised concerns and took the step to stop digital payments entirely.

The current rise in cybercrime is believed to be linked to increasing tensions between India and Pakistan, further complicating the situation for businesses relying on digital infrastructure.

Petrol pump associations are urging authorities to strengthen cybersecurity measures and provide better protection against such frauds to restore safe and reliable digital transactions.