One Click Away from Losing Over 5,000 AED – A Cautionary Tale About OTP Messages

We’re all used to it by now.

You're shopping online, everything looks good, the price is right, you enter your card details... and then you get that familiar text — the one-time PIN (OTP) to approve the payment.

Most of us glance at the code, enter it quickly, and move on without thinking twice. But here’s something I want you to pause and reflect on:

That OTP message could be the only thing standing between you and a massive overcharge.

My Personal Experience

This happened to me twice — and both times, it could have cost me over 5,000 AED (roughly $1,360 USD).

I was booking flights online and saw a price I was happy to pay. I went through the usual process, input my credit card details, and waited for the OTP.

Then I glanced at the text message.

The code was there. But so was the total amount that would be charged to my card.

And that’s when I caught it.

The amount I was going to be charged in the OTP message was significantly higher than what I'd seen on the booking screen. In both cases, it was more than 5,000 AED higher!

If I had clicked ahead without reading the message properly — like most people do — I would have unknowingly approved that extra charge. And once the payment is authorised, it's extremely difficult to challenge or reverse it, especially when the transaction technically has your approval via the OTP.

Why Does This Happen?

In my case, it wasn’t a scam. It was most likely a glitch in the website or a discrepancy caused by switching between devices or currencies during checkout. But that’s almost beside the point.

Because whether it’s a scam, a technical glitch, or a user interface issue, the outcome is the same — you end up paying more than you intended.

And unfortunately, these discrepancies can easily go unnoticed if you're not paying close attention.

What Makes This So Risky?

1. We’re in a rush. Online shopping has become so quick and frictionless, we often skip the details.

2. We trust the process. OTPs feel like a safety measure, not a final review.

3. Technology is making it easier — and riskier.
   Many apps and websites now auto-fill the OTP code for you. You might not even see the text message anymore. That means you’re skipping the one point in the process where you could catch a scam, an error, or a last-minute price change.

Here’s What I Want You to Do

Before you approve any online payment, take five seconds to do this:

• Open the OTP message fully.
  Don’t just grab the code from the notification — go into your messages.

• Read the entire message.
  Most include the merchant name and the exact amount being charged.

• Ask yourself: Does this match what I saw on the screen?
  If not, stop. Don’t enter the code. Contact the company before you proceed.

Because once you enter that code, you’re confirming the charge — whether it’s correct or not.

Financial awareness isn't just about budgeting or investing. It’s also about the small, everyday habits that protect your money and your peace of mind.

Checking your OTP message might seem like a tiny thing — but in my case, it saved me from losing thousands.

And it might save you too.

Have you ever experienced something similar? A near-miss, or a payment that turned out very differently to what you expected? Let me know — your story could help others become more aware too.