SEBI Validated UPI Framework - Enhanced Security for HDFC SECURITIES Customers Protecting Your Investments with Advanced UPI Verification
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched ground breaking measures to protect investors from fraud and ensure secure digital payments in the securities market. As your trusted investment platform, HDFC SECURITIES is implementing these new security protocols to safeguard your financial transactions.
What's New: Validated UPI Framework
Starting October 1, 2025, SEBI has mandated that all registered intermediaries, including brokers like HDFC Securities, must use validated UPI handles ending with "@valid" for all investor-facing transactions. This revolutionary step addresses the growing concern of fraudulent entities impersonating legitimate financial institutions.
Key Features of the New System:
🔒 Enhanced Security Protocol
- All legitimate UPI IDs now end with "@valid" suffix
- Standardized format for easy identification
- Bank verification required before issuing "@valid" handles
How This Protects HDFC SECURITIES Customers
The new framework directly combats several fraud tactics:
- Impersonation Prevention: Fraudsters can no longer create fake UPI IDs mimicking legitimate brokers
- Payment Routing Security: Ensures your money reaches only verified, SEBI-registered entities
What changes for you?
Nothing at all! The way you make payments today, will remain same.
Just to refresh, after you login to your HDFC SECURITIES app/ web, go to funds section, and click on Add funds.
Post entering the amount of your desired choice, you will see the options to choose from UPI or Netbanking. When you select the mode as UPI, you will be redirected to the UPI app of your choice (Google Pay, PhonePE, Paytm, BHIM, Payzapp or so on)
While making your payments, you can check the format of the UPI handles on the payment app while making the payment!
This is how this will look like:

How to Verify Payment Authenticity
Step-by-Step Verification Process:
- Check the UPI Handle Format
- Ensure it ends with "@validhdfc"
- The format will be businessname.rzpx.brk@validbank
- In our case, business name will be hdfcsecurities, rzp suffix as it is our payment aggregator we use for managing payments
- Followed by .brk as we lie in the intermediary category of ‘brokers’
- Followed by @validhdfc , as our banking account is HDFC BANK
- Look for Visual Confirmation
- This appears in your payment app (Google Pay, PhonePE, Paytm, BHIM, etc. as shown in the picture above )
- Use SEBI Check Tool
- Manually verify UPI IDs when in doubt
Important Security Reminders
🚨 Red Flags to Watch For:
- UPI IDs not ending with "@validhdfc"
- Absence of green thumbs-up verification icon
- Misspelled merchant names or suspicious formatting
- Unsolicited payment requests via social media or email
- Pressure tactics urging immediate payment
How to Stay Protected
Before Making Any Payment:
- Always Verify: Double-check UPI handles against our official list
- Look for Icons: Ensure the green verification triangle is visible
- Use Official Channels: Only initiate payments through HDFC SECURITIES's official platform
- When in Doubt: Contact our customer support for verification
FAQs issue by SEBI for Investors
Q. Is it compulsory for the investors to use the new handle only?
Ans. The investors can choose their preferred mode of payment, such as UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, or Cheques. If an investor opts to use UPI for the payment to registered intermediaries, then they have to do so only using the new UPI IDs allotted to registered intermediaries.
Q. What should I check while making payment using the new UPI IDs/ QR Code?
Ans. Investors need to keep following things into consideration:
1 . The UPI ID should properly show the name of the intermediary, followed by the short abbreviation of their category for example "brk" for Brokers, "m' for Mutual Funds to the left of the "@" character.
- On the right side of the "@" , the new and exclusive handle "@valid" should be present, followed by the bank name.
- On the confirmation screen, the app should show a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle.
- The QR code generated using the utility will have a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle. It will also display the UPI ID just below the QR code.
Q. Do investors also need to obtain new UPI handles to transact in the securities market?
Ans. No, the new UPI IDs are only for intermediaries to obtain and investors can continue to use their existing UPI IDs.
Q. Whom to approach if my transaction/ payment fails with the new UPI ID?
Ans. The secure validated UPI ID of intermediaries will use the same banking channel as the earlier generic UPI handles. In case of any technical difficulty, investors are requested to approach their respective bank.
Conclusion
SEBI's validated UPI framework marks a significant milestone in investor protection. By implementing these advanced security measures, HDFC SECURITIES continues to prioritize your financial safety while maintaining the convenience of digital payments.
Remember: when making payments to HDFC SECURITIES, always verify the UPI handle ends with "@validhdfc" and look for the green verification triangle. Your vigilance, combined with these regulatory safeguards, creates a robust defense against fraud.
Stay secure, stay informed, and continue investing with confidence on HDFC SECURITIES.
Need Help? Contact HDFC SECURITIES customer support for any questions about the validated UPI framework or to verify payment details.
SEBI FAQs / Circular link: Link
Related Posts
Don't miss another Article
Subscribe to our blog for free and get regular updates right into your inbox.
Categories
newsletter
HSL Mobile App