iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Some hotels quote Dh1,000 to Dh8,000 for standard hotel room that would usually start at around Dh345 per night
KT APPDOWNLOAD
UAE residents' alert: Beware of these four common scams
Dubai - You could lose your entire life savings within seconds if you click on suspicious links or respond to too-good-to-be-true calls.
Don't fall for messages like these. — File image
Fraudsters are always on the lookout for targets, using different means and ways to deceive consumers in the UAE. They use sophisticated, or even emotional, tactics to trick you. This means you, or someone you know, could lose their entire life savings — within seconds.
The UAE residents are generally targeted through four scams. According to the UAE’s largest bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, the consumers are targeted through impersonation, investment, lottery and online scams.
>> Impersonation scam: Fraudsters ask you to transfer money to them, claiming to be a family member in trouble or pretending to be from the bank to gain access to your confidential details with the intention to steal.
>> Investment scam: Posing as financial consultants, the fraudsters encourage you to invest in fake companies or put your money in offshore banks for higher returns.
>> Lottery scam: You receive a call or e-mail stating that you have won a lottery. To receive your ‘prize’, you are required to pay a fee or share your OTP/card details.
>> Online scam: Fraudsters gain access to your bank account or funds by establishing trust through social media.
How to stay safe
In order to protect themselves from fraudsters, people in the UAE should take four steps:
>> Ignore suspicious calls and emails about contests or offers that require personal information or payment to receive a prize.
>> Practise online safety. Always key in a website address instead of clicking.
>> Do not download anti-virus or software updates sent via email or SMS. These could be used to access your personal details on your computer.
>> Never reveal personal information, your PIN, password or account number to strangers.
How to spot, stop and report
>> Spot: Always check the identity of the person you are dealing with. Fraudsters are good impersonators.
>> Stop: Never open emails or click on links sent by people you don’t know.
>> Report: The sooner you report the case, the better the chances of stopping the fraud.
waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
More news from
When feeling stuck in life, it's important to revise your thinking patterns
A guide on the channels to report complaints about violations at your workplace
The standout performances came from Arwa Saleh, Mohammed Al-Dhahouri and Amna Al-Loughani on the Taekwondo mat
The story of a non-resident Bangladeshi family establishing and running the famed perfume company Al Haramain and its successful subsidiaries
Matches will be played on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day
The plant to be set up in Al Bihouth area is expected to process 900,000 tonnes of waste into energy
The minor didn't take his cellphone or wallet, assuming he'd return quickly
