Is a face scan safer than your bank’s SMS code?

The Essentials

• Axis Bank cardholders can now authorise Flipkart purchases using Face ID or fingerprint sensors on their phones.
• PayU provides the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that allows the merchant and the bank to talk to each other.
• The update removes the frustration of delayed SMS codes while adding a layer of protection against digital fraud.

The Pulse

Waiting for an SMS OTP is easily the most irritating part of shopping online in India. You find the perfect item, enter your card details, and then sit there waiting for a message that often arrives late or not at all. We all have experienced lot of transactions fail simply because the network was slow. This partnership between Flipkart and Axis Bank aims to fix that.

PayU handles the invisible work that makes this possible. They manage the merchant-side infrastructure and device security. Crucially, they use Wibmo, a PayU company to power the biometric verification on the bank’s side. Instead of your bank sending a text to a tower, it sends a prompt to your phone’s hardware.

How do I use biometric authentication on Flipkart? When you reach the payment page with an Axis Bank card, the app will ask for your fingerprint or Face ID. This is a direct response to the fact that digital payment fraud in India exceeded ₹1,400 crore last year. Since biometrics are tied to your specific physical handset, it is much harder for a scammer to intercept your approval than it is to steal a six-digit code.

The Snapshot

The Big Picture

The Reserve Bank of India has issued new directions for 2025, specifically pushing banks to move away from SMS-based verification. While UPI is the default for small daily payments, credit cards have been stuck in the past for too long. By using PayU’s infrastructure to bridge the gap between a private bank and a major marketplace, this move sets the standard for how we will pay for high-value items in India. Expect other fintech players to rush to match this level of speed.

The Inside Intel

Most digital fraud in India relies on social engineering, scammers tricking you into reading an OTP over the phone. You cannot accidentally read out a face scan or a fingerprint. By removing the physical code from the process, this system effectively shuts down the most common tactic used by fraudsters in the country.

The UDHQ. Take

If you have an Axis Bank card, you should turn this on immediately. Unbox Daily HQ. believes this is the first security update in years that actually makes life easier rather than adding another layer of friction. It stops the frantic app-switching to find a code while your cart timer is ticking down.

PayU and Axis Bank have built something that feels like the future of Indian e-commerce. It is a cleaner, more sensible way to handle your money that respects your time. Switch to it and forget about waiting for text messages.

Best for: Axis Bank cardholders who shop frequently on Flipkart and are tired of SMS delays.

Who Is This For: Perfect for 28 to 45-year-old professionals in urban India who use credit cards and want to avoid the risks of OTP-based fraud.

The Checkout

Flipkart

Transparency Disclosure

The content shared on Unbox Daily HQ, including our commentary, data analysis, and opinions, is for informational purposes only. While we strive to bring you the latest from press releases and launches, our views do not constitute professional advice. We strongly recommend consulting with the respective brand, a financial advisor for market instruments, or a qualified professional before making any purchase or investment decision. While we aim to provide helpful insights, Unbox Daily HQ assumes no liability for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided on our platform. Please note that clicking on certain hyperlinks may redirect you to third-party websites; we do not control or take responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of these external sites.

The Source

Axis Bank | PayU | Flipkart India