Kayastha Setu is a family app, built by the samaj, for the samaj. Parents, grandparents, young professionals and students all use it every day to find relatives, read the timeline, check the panchang and stay in touch. Because so many families trust it, it is worth spending five minutes learning a few simple safety habits. These habits protect you, and they also keep the whole community a warm and respectful place.
This guide is written in plain words, so you can read it once and share it with the elders in your home.
How Your Account Is Protected
Before we come to the tips, it helps to know what the app already does to keep your account safe.
- Mobile number and OTP: You log in only with your mobile number and a one-time password (OTP) sent to that number. There is no separate password to remember.
- Setu PIN: Every new login also asks for your 4-digit Setu PIN, which you set once inside the app. So even if someone gets your OTP, they still need your PIN.
- One device at a time: Your account works on only one phone at a time. If someone logs in on a new phone, the old phone is logged out, and it shows on a map where the new login happened. If you ever see this and it was not you, you will know straight away.
If you forget your PIN, there are safe ways to recover it: a linked family member can confirm it is you, the team can do a selfie check, or you can wait 24 hours. During that wait, the phone that is already logged in can cancel the request. This stops a stranger from quietly taking over your account.
Golden Rule: Never Share Your OTP or Setu PIN
This is the single most important tip in this article. Your OTP and your Setu PIN are only for you. No genuine member, office bearer or seller needs them.
If anyone asks for your OTP or PIN on a call, on WhatsApp or in person, saying "I am from the team" or "I will help you verify your profile", it is a trick. Simply say no and end the conversation.
Please explain this to elders in the family especially. A polite voice on the phone can be very convincing. Teach them one simple line: "OTP aur PIN main kisi ko nahi batata."
Use Report and Block Without Hesitation
The Community Timeline is meant for wishes, achievements and happy news. Foul language is filtered automatically, photos are checked for unsafe content, and every post can be reported. If you see something that does not belong, tap report. You are not being rude; you are helping keep the feed clean for everyone.
If someone keeps calling you and you do not want to talk, you can block their calls. You never need to explain or apologise for using these tools.
Your Number Stays Hidden in In-App Calls
When you call another member from inside the app, your mobile number is hidden. This is a quiet but helpful protection. Our suggestion: keep using in-app calls when you are talking to someone new, and share your personal number only once you have built trust.
Be Careful with Your Address and Children's Details
We all love to share happy moments. Still, a little care goes a long way.
- Home address: Avoid posting your full house address on the timeline. Your city is usually enough.
- Children: When you post about a child's results or birthday, think before adding their school name, daily timings or tuition location.
- Travel plans: It is better to share holiday photos after you return home rather than announcing that the house is empty.
- Nearby Members: On the Nearby map your exact location is never stored or shown. You can choose to show your photo, stay in ghost mode (only counted), or switch it off fully.
- Family Tree: Your Family Tree is visible only inside the app, never on the open web.
Watch Out for Money Scams
Sadly, scams can reach any platform. The pattern is usually the same: someone creates a story full of urgency and then asks for money.
- "I am stuck in a hospital, please send money on UPI right now."
- "You have won a prize, just pay a small fee to receive it."
- "I am a relative of your uncle, my wallet was stolen."
Here is what to do:
- Pause. Real emergencies can wait two minutes while you verify.
- Call back on a number you already know. Speak to the family member directly, not through the person asking.
- Never pay to receive a prize.
- Report the profile so others are protected too.
The app also catches duplicate and fake accounts through photo matching, but your own common sense is still the best guard.
Keep SOS Ready for Real Emergencies
Safety is also about being prepared. Take a few minutes to set up SOS Emergency. Add up to 5 emergency contacts and fill in your medical card. In a real emergency, hold the SOS button for 3 seconds and your contacts get an SMS with your name and live location. This is especially useful for elderly parents living alone and for anyone travelling late at night.
A Quick Safety Checklist
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Set a Setu PIN you can remember | Share your OTP or PIN with anyone |
| Use in-app calls with new contacts | Post your full home address |
| Report and block when needed | Send money on an urgent request without checking |
| Set up SOS contacts and medical card | Share children's school and timings publicly |
Our Formal Policy
For full details on how information is handled, please read our Privacy Policy.
Staying safe online is not difficult. A few good habits, a little patience and the courage to say no are all it takes. Share these tips with your family WhatsApp group today, and let us keep Kayastha Setu a safe, happy home for every family in the samaj.
Frequently asked questions
Will anyone from Kayastha Setu ask for my OTP or Setu PIN?
No. Never share your OTP or Setu PIN with anyone. If someone asks for it, it is a trick, so say no and end the conversation.
What happens if someone logs in to my account on another phone?
Your account works on one device at a time. A new login logs the old phone out, and the old phone shows on a map where the new login happened.
Is my mobile number shown when I call a member from the app?
No. In-app calls hide mobile numbers, and you can also block calls from anyone you do not want to hear from.
