SMS use case

Payment reminder SMS for dues, invoices and EMIs

Remind customers before and after a due date with a short, polite SMS and a payment link, and stop chasing every account by phone.

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Money in sooner
Less awkward follow-up
One tap to pay

Broadband payment reminder SMS with the amount, due date and a UPI payment link, followed by a payment receipt the next day

What is a payment reminder SMS?

A payment reminder SMS tells a customer that an amount is due or overdue, with the invoice or account reference, the due date and how to pay, often through a UPI or payment link. In India it is a service implicit message to an existing customer, so it reaches DND numbers, but lenders must also follow RBI's fair practices rules.

Updated 15 Nov 2026

Why use SMS for payment reminders?

Money in soonerMost late payments are forgotten, not refused. A reminder three days before the due date clears a large share of them without a call.

Less awkward follow-upA neutral, scheduled message does the reminding, so your team calls only the accounts that stay unpaid.

One tap to payA whitelisted payment link in the SMS takes the customer straight to UPI or a payment page.

How do you set up payment reminders with SMS?

Pull the due listExport dues from Tally, BUSY, your billing system or loan software, or let it call the API daily.
Pick the stageUse different templates for before due date, on the due date and after it is missed.
Schedule sensible timesSend in working hours, even though service SMS have no legal window, so the message reads as a reminder, not pressure.
Close the loop on paymentWhen payment posts, stop further reminders and send a receipt SMS.

SMS templates for payment reminders

Copy, edit and use these as a starting point.

Before due dateService implicit

Dear {#var#}, a reminder that Rs {#var#} for {#var#} is due on {#var#}. Pay here: {#var#} Ignore if already paid. -{#var#}

Missed due dateService implicit

Dear {#var#}, we have not yet received Rs {#var#} for {#var#}, due on {#var#}. Please pay at {#var#} or call {#var#} if you need help. -{#var#}

Payment receivedService implicit

Dear {#var#}, thank you. Rs {#var#} received on {#var#} for {#var#}. Receipt no {#var#}. -{#var#}

Which industries use SMS for payment reminders?

Banks, NBFCs and lendersHow do NBFCs and lenders use SMS?See how

Small and medium businessesHow can small businesses use bulk SMS in India?See how

Schools, colleges and coaching institutesWhat SMS do schools send to parents?See how

Broadband, ISP and DTH providersWhat SMS alerts do broadband and DTH operators send?See how

Property management and housing societiesHow do housing societies and property managers use SMS?See how

SaaS and subscription businessesShould SaaS companies use SMS?See how

What are the best practices for payment reminders?

Do this

Send the first reminder 3 days before the due date, not after it is missed
Always include 'ignore if already paid' to avoid angering customers who paid yesterday
Lenders: no threats, no words like defaulter, and never message references or family
Stop the sequence the moment payment is recorded and send a receipt

What to measure

Share of dues paid on or before the due date
Days sales outstanding or overdue ratio
Payment-link click-to-pay rate

Connect results to your CRM with the SMS API and webhooks. See how pricing works.

Questions about SMS payment reminders

Can payment reminder SMS be sent to DND numbers?

Yes. A reminder about money owed for a product or service the customer already uses is service implicit, so it reaches numbers on the DND list. It must not include offers or cross-sell, or it becomes promotional and is blocked for DND customers.

What time should payment reminders be sent?

Service SMS have no TRAI time window, but send reminders between about 9 am and 7 pm so they read as courteous. Lenders should stay within RBI's 8 am to 7 pm guidance for recovery communication. Receipts can go at any hour.

How should lenders word EMI reminder SMS?

State the loan account, amount, due date and payment options in neutral language. Do not threaten legal action you are not taking, use words like defaulter, or mention contacting family or employers. Message only the borrower, and name the lender in every SMS.

Can I send payment reminders from Tally?

Yes. MsgClub's Tally, BUSY and Marg plugins send outstanding balance and due reminders to the party's mobile number from your accounting data. Each message must match a DLT template you registered with variables for amount, bills and date.

Should I add a UPI link to the reminder?

Yes, it is the biggest single improvement. Use a payment-page or short-link domain that is whitelisted on your DLT entity, because operators block SMS with unregistered links under current TRAI rules.

Is WhatsApp or voice better for payment reminders?

SMS is the dependable first reminder because it reaches everyone. WhatsApp adds a pay button and invoice PDF for opted-in customers. For accounts still unpaid after the due date, an automated voice call or AI voice agent can follow up within permitted calling hours.

AI calls for payment remindersWhen people need to talk back, ask questions or agree a date, an AI voice agent handles the call and logs the outcome.See AI Voice

More SMS use cases

Same job on other channels

RCS: payment reminders Voice broadcast: payment reminders

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