Brazil’s Central Bank has introduced a new feature within Pix, their digital payment system, to address fraudulent transactions. Users can now directly report suspected scams or coercion through their financial institution’s app.
Upon triggering this function, a notification is sent to the recipient bank, prompting them to immediately freeze the involved funds. Both banks have seven days to review the case; if evidence of criminal activity is found, the disputed amount is refunded to the victim’s account within eleven days from the initial report.
Purpose and Scope
The new feature aims to speed up the freezing process, enhancing the chances of recovering funds for victims. However, it is not intended for errors like sending money to the wrong Pix key or commercial disputes; its use is limited to cases of fraud or criminal coercion.
Context and Further Developments
Pix has quickly become Brazil’s most popular payment method since its introduction in 2020. The Central Bank continually enhances security measures, including setting transaction limits and improving monitoring systems, to combat fraudulent activities. This new dispute mechanism is part of ongoing efforts to protect users.
In August 2025, EBANX expanded its partnership with Stripe, enabling global businesses to accept Pix payments from Brazilian customers. Through this collaboration, Stripe users can now process transactions in Brazilian Reais and settle in their local currency, further promoting the adoption of Pix worldwide.
