Sender first
[Service]: Your verification code is [Code]. Valid for 5 minutes. We will never ask for this code by phone or email.
1 SMS segments · GSM-7 · 112 characters
SMSOTPGovernment and utilities · OTP and verification
E-services verification code SMS template for government portals (OTP)
Send it when a citizen or customer signs in to your e-services or confirms a transaction. Stating the expiry and that staff will never ask for the code helps stop phone scams.
Preview
Your brand
[Code] is your verification code for [Service] e-services. It is valid for 5 minutes. Our staff will never ask you for this code.
Variables are highlighted. Replace them with your own values before sending.
[Code] is your verification code for [Service] e-services. It is valid for 5 minutes. Our staff will never ask you for this code.
125 characters in GSM-7, which is 1 SMS segment(s). GSM-7 fits 160 characters in a single SMS, or 153 per segment when the message is split. Counts treat each [Placeholder] as text of similar length; check the final message once your real values are in.
Variables explained
What to put in each variable, with an example value.
| Variable | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
[Code] | One-time code, usually 6 digits | 582014 |
[Service] | Name of the e-services portal or entity | CityPower |
Category and compliance notes
OTP SMS: name the brand, state the expiry, never put the code inside a link and send from a sender ID registered for transactional or OTP traffic so it is delivered 24/7.
Promotional sending hours differ by country, and some regulators also set Ramadan hours.Sender ID rules by countryPlan the send time
Variations
Alternative versions of the same message, following the same channel rules.
Transaction approval
[Code] is your code to confirm your [Service] request [Reference]. Valid for 5 minutes. Do not share it with anyone.
1 SMS segments · GSM-7 · 110 characters
With not-you warning
[Code] is your [Service] e-services code, valid for 5 minutes. If you did not request it, ignore this message and do not share it.
1 SMS segments · GSM-7 · 126 characters
How to use this template
- 1
Copy the text
Copy the message and keep the brand name at the start so the recipient knows who is writing.
- 2
Replace the placeholders
Map each [Placeholder] to a field in your contact list or system, keeping the message short.
- 3
Check length and encoding
Paste the final text into the SMS counter to see the segments you will pay for.
- 4
Send from a registered sender ID
Use a sender ID registered for this traffic type in each destination country.
Questions about this template
How many SMS segments is this message?
1 segment(s): the text has 125 characters in GSM-7. GSM-7 fits 160 characters in a single SMS, or 153 per segment when the message is split.
Is this promotional or transactional SMS?
Transactional (OTP). One-time passcodes are delivered 24/7 and should use a sender ID registered for OTP or transactional traffic.
When can I send this message?
Any time. Transactional and OTP messages are delivered 24/7; time-of-day windows such as 07:00–21:00 in the UAE or 09:00–22:00 in Saudi Arabia apply to promotional traffic.
Is this template available in other languages?
Yes. It is written natively in English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Portuguese, Turkish, and Simplified Chinese, so the Arabic and other versions read as original messages, not translations.