For adults and households

Cyber Safety for Families

Practical guidance for protecting the people, devices, accounts, and payments that matter at home.

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Why Families Are Targeted

Scammers often use trust, urgency, and family relationships to make a message feel believable. A single click on a fake link can expose personal, financial, or account information.

Recognise the pattern

Common Threats for Families

  • Fake lottery or prize scamA message says you have won a prize and asks you to click or pay a fee.
  • Child-in-danger impersonationA caller or message claims that your child is in trouble. Verify through a known number.
  • Unverified forwardsFraudulent links and false information often spread through family groups.
  • Digital arrest scamA fake police or CBI call threatens arrest unless money is transferred.
  • KYC update scamA caller pretends to be bank staff and asks for an OTP or account details.
  • APK link scamAn unknown link asks you to install an app that can expose the phone.
A simple boundary

OTP — Never Share It

An OTP is a private security key. No bank, government official, or support team should ask for it over a call.

  • Never share your OTP — not even with family members.
  • Hang up and call 1930 if someone asks for an OTP.
  • Tell other family members about the attempted scam.
Household checklist

How to Protect Your Family

  • Never share OTP, Aadhaar, or bank PIN details over a call.
  • Verify emergency messages by calling a known number.
  • Enable parental controls on devices used by children.
  • Create a private family verification word.
  • A UPI PIN is needed to send money, not to receive it.
  • Enable WhatsApp Two-Step Verification.