Stay updated, stay secure: Why refreshing your contact details matters

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Your mobile number and email have become the backbone of your financial identity today. Every bank and financial platform sends OTPs, alerts, statements, verification for login, and even notifications regarding fraud to these two contact points. Even minor changes, such as changing a phone number or loss of access to an old email, might become a hurdle in completing even the simplest transaction. Updating your details everywhere ensures that you will never miss important messages and will stay in full control of your accounts.

Start with your bank accounts

The first place your updated contact information becomes important is the bank. Most banks allow you to update your mobile number and email through net banking, mobile banking, or by visiting the nearest branch. A few of them may require OTP verification on your old and new numbers, while others may ask for a simple request form along with ID proof. Once this is done, you will start to receive alerts for every transaction, thus bringing in transparency and safety.

Update your details on your UPI apps

Since UPI apps are directly linked with your bank account, updating your number here is just as important. Usually, UPI platforms ask that you register the same mobile number which was used for your bank. When there is a change of phone or a SIM card, without updating the number inside the application, your UPI may fail. A simple sign-in using the new number and completing the OTP verification will sync your UPI profile to the updated bank details.

Refresh information on mutual funds and investments

Your investment platforms, like portals for mutual funds or demat accounts, send updates about NAV, confirmations of transactions, and statements of account with your contact details. These get updated by usually logging into your investment platform and sending in an online modification request. Some may ask you to e-sign using Aadhaar, while others allow instant updates with no documentation. Keeping these updated ensures you never miss important investment-related communication.

Do not forget insurance policies

Most insurance companies send reminders about due premiums, renewal notices, and policy updates through SMS and email. For those cases where your contact information is not updated, you might inadvertently miss a payment and your policy could lapse. Most insurers allow updates online using your policy number and verification via an OTP. For older policies, you may have to submit a short request form or a KYC document.

Update your details with EPF, NPS, and tax platforms

Your mobile number and email are also used extensively for verification by government platforms such as EPFO, NPS, and the income tax portal. Logging on into these portals and updating your contact details ensures you can easily reset passwords, check balances, or complete e-filing when needed.

Keep your financial life seamless

Updating a mobile number and email may sound tiresome; however, it saves time as it is required only once and avoids future access-related issues. A few minutes of effort today can keep your financial life running smoothly and safely.