How merchants lose money on payments, how chargebacks and refunds work, card tokenisation, PCI DSS, data rules, surcharging and where to check the rules.
This section is about what goes wrong and how to protect your margin. The failure patterns guide collects the common ways small businesses overpay or lose money on digital payments: a device rental nobody cancelled, a blended rate that hides expensive cards, settlement held without notice, chargebacks lost for want of a delivery proof, and fake payment screenshots. The patterns are generic, not stories about named companies.
Other guides explain chargebacks, refunds and failed-transaction timelines under the RBI's turnaround-time framework; card tokenisation (CoFT) and PCI DSS, including why merchants have not been allowed to store card numbers since 1 October 2022 and what the RBI authentication directions in force from 1 April 2026 mean for checkout; whether you may add a surcharge or convenience fee; and fraud at the counter, from QR swaps to fake soundbox alerts.
The official sources guide lists the government, RBI and NPCI pages to check for MDR, UPI charges, tax and complaints. General information only: for a dispute with your acquirer or a tax question, speak to your bank's nodal officer, a chartered accountant or a lawyer.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
Why merchants may not store card numbers since 1 October 2022, how card-on-file tokens work, what PCI DSS means for a small business, the 2026 authentication rules and DPDP.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
How card and UPI disputes work for merchants in India, the RBI turnaround times for failed transactions, how to respond to a chargeback and what refunds cost.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
Common payment frauds against Indian merchants at the counter and online, how soundboxes and settlement checks help, and where to report fraud.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
The RBI, NPCI, Department of Financial Services, gazette, tax and complaint websites Indian merchants should use to check payment fee rules, with what to look for on each.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
Common ways Indian shops and online sellers overpay or lose money on card, UPI and gateway payments, from forgotten rentals and wrong rates to chargebacks and fake payments.
Failure Patterns, Disputes, Security and Official Sources
What RBI, NPCI, card network rules, consumer law and MRP rules mean for Indian merchants who want to pass card or UPI fees to customers, and safer alternatives.
