OTP and prize-message scams: a 5-minute talk to have with your child

Many children use a parent’s phone for games, videos or homework. That also makes them the ones who might pick up a call from someone pretending to be from the bank, or tap on a message that says “You won a gift! Click here.” Scammers count on people acting quickly, without stopping to think. Children, who want to be helpful and love the idea of a prize, can be an easy target.

The good news is that a short, calm talk goes a long way. Here is a five-minute conversation you can have at the dinner table, in the car or before handing over the phone. It follows the same rules as lesson 5 of our free Safety Stars course, “Never Share an OTP!”, so children hear the same words at school and at home.

Minute 1: What is an OTP?

Show your child an OTP message on your phone and explain: “OTP means One Time Password. It is a small number the bank or an app sends to our phone. It works like the key to our house. With it, someone could open our bank account or our phone account.”

Then ask: “Would we give our house key to someone we don’t know?” Let your child answer. That one picture, the key, is what they will remember.

Minute 2: The phone call

Act it out. You play the caller: “Hello, I’m calling from the bank. Your Papa’s account will be closed. Tell me the number that just came, quickly!”

Teach your child three steps:

1. Say no. “I can’t tell you.”
2. Cut the call.
3. Give the phone to Mummy or Papa and tell them what happened.

Explain that the caller may sound kind, important or in a great hurry, and that the hurry is itself a warning sign. Banks routinely warn customers never to share an OTP with anyone, so no genuine caller needs it from a child.

Minute 3: Prize messages and links

Read out a pretend message: “Congratulations! You won a free game. Click here.” Or: “Send the OTP to win a free game.”

The rule is simple: never click on prize links, and never send an OTP to win anything. Ask a grown-up first. Tell your child that it is fine to be curious, and that showing you the message is exactly the right thing to do.

Minute 4: “You will never be in trouble for telling”

This is the most important minute. Children sometimes hide a mistake because they are afraid of being scolded, especially if they have already clicked a link or shared a number. Say it clearly: “If you ever click something or tell someone a number by mistake, come and tell me straight away. You won’t be in trouble. Telling me quickly helps us fix it.”

Minute 5: Our family phone rules

Agree on two or three house rules together, for example:

• We never share an OTP, a PIN or a password with anyone.
• We ask before clicking a link or downloading a game.
• If a call or message feels strange, we hand the phone to a grown-up.

Then end on a positive note: “You know exactly what to do. You’re a Safety Star!”

A few things parents can do too

• Keep a screen lock on your phone and, where your phone or app store offers it, ask for a password before any purchase or download.
• Hide message previews on the lock screen, if your phone allows it, so OTPs don’t pop up for anyone holding the phone.
• Stay nearby when a child is using your phone, and take any calls yourself.
• Repeat the talk now and then. Short reminders work better than one long lecture.

If something does go wrong

Act quickly and calmly:

• If money has been lost, call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or report it on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, and contact your bank straight away.
• Suspected fraud calls and messages, where no money has been lost, can be reported through Chakshu on the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi portal.

Lesson 5 is on the free Safety Stars page in English and in Hinglish. No login or sign-up is needed.