PhonePe, India’s leading digital payments platform, has announced the launch of PhonePe Protect, an advanced security framework designed to safeguard users from fraudulent transactions in real time. The feature proactively flags potentially risky payments, notifies users about suspicious activity, and provides security insights when transactions are blocked, reinforcing PhonePe’s commitment to safe and secure digital payments for millions of Indian users.
Real-Time Fraud Detection and Prevention
‘PhonePe Protect’ integrates with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) feature to identify and block transactions directed toward high-risk mobile numbers. Leveraging real-time system intelligence, PhonePe detects potential threats during payment processing and instantly intervenes by displaying a ‘PhonePe Protect’ alert to users. These warnings help users make informed choices before proceeding with any suspicious transaction, enhancing both awareness and security.
Integration with DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
As one of the first digital payment companies to adopt the DoT’s FRI feature, PhonePe uses it to decline transactions linked to ‘Very High FRI’ numbers, while displaying a proactive warning for ‘Medium FRI’ numbers. This layered approach ensures that users are protected from potential scams while still maintaining transaction flexibility when risks are lower.
Recognized Collaboration at India Mobile Congress 2025
The introduction of ‘PhonePe Protect’ follows the company’s collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications, showcased at the 2025 India Mobile Congress (IMC). The DoT recognized PhonePe for its AI-based integration of the FRI tool, highlighting the company’s early and active efforts to combat cyber fraud through intelligent fraud detection mechanisms. PhonePe demonstrated how ‘PhonePe Protect’ leverages DoT’s FRI system to safeguard users from financial threats in real time.
Enhancing User Confidence and Transaction Security
‘PhonePe Protect’ minimizes the likelihood of unintended transfers to fraudulent recipients and curtails illicit financial movements. Beyond blocking unsafe transactions, the system also provides contextual security information explaining why a transaction was declined, thereby increasing user confidence and transparency in digital transactions.
With the launch of ‘PhonePe Protect’, PhonePe continues to strengthen its position as a trusted leader in digital payment security, empowering users with safer, smarter, and more informed ways to transact online.
Commenting on the new feature, Anuj Bhansali, Head of Trust & Safety at PhonePe, said, “At PhonePe, payment security is paramount, and we have 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’ve 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’s our commitment to building a safer digital payments ecosystem for India. We are confident that this solution will establish a secure and seamless payments experience for our users.”
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