5 UPI scams every teen should know
Fake prizes, ‘wrong’ payments and OTP requests — how to spot them and what to do.
Most teens will use UPI before they turn 16. That’s great for independence — and it makes them a target. These are the five scams we see most often in FinFun classrooms.
1. The “you won a prize” message
A message says you’ve won ₹10,000 and asks you to click a link or scan a code to claim it. Real prizes never ask you to pay or scan anything.
2. The collect request
A stranger sends a UPI ‘collect’ request that looks like money coming in. Approving it with your PIN sends money out. Remember: you never enter a PIN to receive money.
3. The “sent by mistake” call
Someone claims they paid you by mistake and asks you to send it back — often with a fake screenshot. Always check your actual bank balance, not a screenshot.
4. The OTP ask
Anyone asking for an OTP — even someone claiming to be from a bank or app — is a scammer. Nobody genuine will ever ask.
5. The fake QR at a shop
Check the name that appears after scanning before you pay. If it doesn’t match the shop, stop.
Talk about it at home
- Agree a rule: never share OTP or PIN, with anyone.
- Set a daily UPI limit on your teen’s account.
- Make it safe to say “I think I got scammed” — speed matters.
