What does IMPS error 38 mean?

The transfer was flagged as suspected (a risk or fraud check) and declined. The source doesn't say which bank raises 38, so the money question depends on the side.

IMPS error codes / 38

IMPS response code

IMPS error 38: Suspected transaction

Q: Is money deducted with IMPS error 38?

No. This decline happens before your account is debited. Nothing to refund in the normal case. If a debit does show on your statement, the bank must reverse it by the next working day (T+1).

Bank descriptionSuspected Transaction FAILED

Source: Axis Bank, IMPS Response Codes for H2H/API. These are IMPS response codes as one bank publishes them; other banks use the same codes but may word them differently.

What it means

The transfer was flagged as suspected (a risk or fraud check) and declined.

Not fully documented: The source doesn't say which bank raises 38, so the money question depends on the side.

Was money deducted?

No. This decline happens before your account is debited.

When does the money come back?

Nothing to refund in the normal case. If a debit does show on your statement, the bank must reverse it by the next working day (T+1).

Which side caused it?

Remitter or beneficiary bank's risk check; the source doesn't say which.

Bank guidance on retrying

Reinitiate with same CRN

If money left your account. Under RBI's turnaround-time rules (circular DPSS.CO.PD No.629/02.01.014/2019-20, 20 September 2019), if your account is debited but the receiver isn't credited on an IMPS transfer, the receiver's bank has until the next working day (T+1) to credit it or send the money back. After that the bank owes you ₹100 for every day of delay.

What you should do

Check who you are sending money to. If the transfer is genuine, contact your bank to confirm it's you.

If you run payouts or a bank integration

Don't push retries through. Review the transaction and the beneficiary.

IMPS error 38 kya hai?

IMPS 38 ka matlab hai transaction sandigdh (suspected) maana gaya.

IMPS in brief

IMPS moves money between banks instantly, at any hour, on any day. Transfers go either by account number and IFSC, or by mobile number and MMID. The network limit is ₹5 lakh per transaction, though your bank can set a lower one, which is why codes like 04 and 22 exist.

Checking what happened

Open the transaction in your bank app or net banking and note its RRN, the 12-digit reference number also sent by SMS. The receiver's bank can trace the transfer with it, and you'll need it for any complaint. If the status says pending or deemed approved, wait for the final status before sending the money again.

If it still isn't sorted

Raise a complaint inside your banking app. Quote the RRN from your statement or SMS.
If the app doesn't resolve it, contact your bank's grievance desk with the same reference.
If your bank hasn't replied within 30 days, or you're not happy with the reply, complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. It's free.

See all 87 IMPS codes →