How to report fraudulent calls in the UAE
The UAE prioritises the safety and security of its citizens and residents and has taken measures against all types of crime, including scammers and fraudsters. These phone scammers are individuals who target unsuspecting and gullible residents in the UAE with various tactics, known as phishing attacks, to rob them of their money. To combat these fraudsters, police authorities have enabled residents to report scam calls in the UAE, so that swift action can be taken against them. Today, MyBayut reveals steps to report scam numbers in the UAE and general tips to protect yourself against such fraudsters.
HOW DO I REPORT A SCAM PHONE NUMBER IN THE UAE
If you have received a call from a scammer in the UAE, here are the ways to report scam numbers in the UAE to the police authorities.
DUBAI
Are you wondering where to report phone scams in Dubai? If you receive a phone scam call, you can use the following channels to notify the Dubai Police.
Firstly, you can call the toll-free call centre number 901. You will be asked to select the department you want to contact. You can choose option ‘3’, which will connect you to the CID (Department of Criminal Investigation), or option ‘0’, which will connect you to a customer representative. Through this, you can report a scam number to Dubai Police.
Alternatively, if you have been a victim of a phone scam call (meaning they have obtained sensitive information such as your bank details) you can also report the fraudsters through Dubai Police’s e-Crime portal. The e-Crime portal is dedicated to the reporting of all manners of cybercrime, which also includes emails, social media, hacking, blackmail and more.
ABU DHABI
Residents of Abu Dhabi can report a scam number in the UAE via the Aman Service provided by the Abu Dhabi Police.
The Aman Service is an initiative by the police authorities to work with the public to constantly improve the security of citizens and residents. You can report scam numbers by calling the toll-free number 800-2626, sending an SMS at 2828 or emailing them at aman@adpolice.gov.ae.
SHARJAH AND AJMAN
Residents of Sharjah and Ajman can also contact the respective call centre for the emirate’s police authorities by dialling 901. They can choose the relevant department they wish to speak to.
Phone scammers will also often pretend to be calling from your telecom provider (such as du or Etisalat) or bank to extract sensitive and confidential information from you. In such cases, not only should you notify the police authorities, but also inform your provider, bank or otherwise. You can contact the relevant customer care numbers to report suspicious callers in the UAE so that they can take the appropriate action.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY PHONE SCAMMERS AND FRAUDSTERS IN THE UAE?
There are various methods and tactics that phone scammers use to deceive unsuspecting individuals into sharing confidential details. If you want to know how to identify phone scams in the UAE, be wary of the following scenarios, which are common tactics scammers use to fool victims:
- Calls from an unknown number informing you that you have won a cash prize, posing as telecom providers, well-known retailers or other legitimate companies. These scammers will ask you to share personal details, including credit card and bank details. After receiving this information, the fraudsters will proceed to steal money from the victim’s bank account.
- Calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages from scammers posing as bank employees who need to update your bank statement. They will request confidential information such as bank account details, PIN numbers and more, which banks will never request over the phone, and will threaten targets that your ‘ATM card’ will be blocked if you do not provide the information.
- Scammers posing as police authorities who persuade you to reveal verification codes and other personal details.
These are just some of the common scenarios that UAE residents might come across when dealing with phone scammers. Fraudsters are also sending messages via WhatsApp or social media to target victims. To protect yourself, MyBayut reveals some essential tips to always follow to avoid becoming a victim of these scam phone calls.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMMERS
- Never reveal personal information such as PIN numbers, credit/debit card details, bank account or passport details over the phone or electronically.
- Always be wary of answering calls from unknown or unusual numbers. Do not call back a suspicious number, as you will be charged instantly for the call.
- If you have received a call from an unknown number, informing you of a cash prize and calling on behalf of your telecom provider or a retailer you frequent, do not reveal any personal information. Instead, call the provider or retailer back on a number you trust to verify the source of the call.
- After receiving a call from a suspicious number, it is advisable to block that number and report it using the methods mentioned above.
- Fraudsters also use a tactic known as spoofing, where scammers can disguise their communication as being from a trusted source, to lure targets into giving up information. This means that scammers can communicate with you via phone calls or email while pretending to be a family member or friend. Thus, do not immediately respond to a strange request from a known number or email address. Instead, contact them back to ensure that the request is genuine.
FAQS
WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS TO REPORT SCAM NUMBERS IN THE UAE ONLINE?
In addition to the above-mentioned ways, you can report cybercrimes online through the ‘My Safe Society’ app launched by the UAE’s Federal Public Prosecution.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT A CRIME IN DUBAI?
Residents must have their Emirates ID, while visitors can use their passports. In the case of key services, you might also be asked the details of the case by a police officer via video link and a statement will be taken. Once the whole process is completed, a copy of the filed case will be given to you for further persuasion.
HOW TO APPLY FOR HOME SECURITY SERVICE BY DUBAI POLICE?
You can register for home security service by Dubai Police through the official website or smart home security app application.
And that concludes MyBayut’s guide on how to report scam numbers in the UAE and ways to protect yourself against spoofing and phishing attacks.
Besides knowing where to report fake callers in the UAE, it’s also a good idea to be aware of the emergency numbers for various situations. Here are all the emergency numbers in Dubai that you should know, from ambulance services to alerting fire emergencies.
Tired of random and annoying marketing calls? Is your inbox getting full of unwanted SMS? Here’s our guide on how to block marketing calls in Dubai.
You can also read about the Al Ameen Service in Dubai, which allows citizens, residents and tourists to leave anonymous messages on certain issues. Discover more about Smart Police Stations in Dubai, which provide a variety of services including filing complaints and reporting crimes.
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Leave a Reply
Hi my name is Deblina Gupta. I just received a call from the below number 971543558391 mentioning they are calling from Dubai Duty Free and that I have won 300K AED. I was told to call another number 971524046620 with the file number 4332. I believe these are spam calls so I am reporting it. Please look into it.
Hi Deblina,
You can call the toll-free call centre number 901 to report this scam to Dubai police. You will be asked to select the department you want to contact. You can choose option ‘3’, which will connect you to the CID (Department of Criminal Investigation), or option ‘0’, that will connect you to a customer representative.
Hope this helps and have a great day!