The UAE is a strict country not only on labour laws but also on all types of scams and frauds. Just like how it monitors abusive employers and employees, the government doesn’t tolerate people who are trying to scam expats and locals in the country.
If you are currently working here, you should know that you can always rely on the services of the government to catch the fraud who is scamming you. There are specific authorities in the country to whom you can report any incident. In this article, you will know more about how to report phone scams in the UAE.
Also Read: Why Keeping the Passport of Employee is Illegal
Scams and frauds differ in many ways. Most of them are from the internet. Once (or more) in your life as an expat here in the UAE, you will receive suspicious emails and chats from anonymous people offering fake jobs and asking for money.
How and Where to Report Scammers in Dubai
It’s very common as well to receive phone calls from strangers telling you strange things about your life, your job, your company, and so on. If this happens, you should know that you can always report it to the UAE authorities including the police. So, in case you receive phone scams while you are in the country, here’s what you need to know.
Call the Toll-Free Center number 901
This is the first line of defense if you have received a phone call trying to scam you. The support will ask you which department you wish to talk to. There is an option there that when you press “3”, you will be taken to the line of the CID or the Criminal Investigation Department. You can also press “0” so you can talk to a customer representative. This approach lets you communicate with Dubai Police.
Go to the e-Crime portal of Dubai Police
Another way you can communicate with Dubai Police is through its e-Crime Portal. This is designed for expats and locals who have been scammed through phone calls. So, if you think the caller has obtained sensitive information from you, you should immediately report it.
All other cybercrimes such as scams on social media, blackmail, emails, and more can be reported here.
How To Report Phone Scams in Abu Dhabi
If you are in Abu Dhabi and you got a phone call from someone you don’t know and that person is trying to get your personal and bank details, report it immediately through Arman Service by Abu Dhabi Police.
The Arman Service is created by the police authorities in order to remind and work with people locally. This is aimed to improve the safety and security of locals and expats in the city. You can call the toll-free number of Arman Service at 800-2626, send them a text message at 2828, or send them an email at aman@adpolice.gove.ae.
Check out this video of Phone Scammers that were nabbed by the Abu Dhabi Police:
How To Report Phone Scams in Sharjah and Ajman
To report phone scams in Sharjah and Ajman, you can call their local call centers by dialing 901. You will be given the department options to which you can talk to. Just make sure you are calling the right department so the report of your issue won’t be delayed.
How can you identify if a caller is a scam or not?
Before you report a phone scam to the police, you have to make sure that you identified the right plain thief. Not all who call you are reliable. You have to build your own strategies on how you can determine if the person calling you is a scam or not. So, here’s your guide.
- The most common type of scammer is someone calling from an unregistered number and telling you that you have won cash. This person will inform you that he is a part of a telecom provider, a reliable company, or a popular retailer. He will ask your personal details, specifically your bank accounts and credit cards. If you have given your sensitive information, this scammer will then steal money from your bank.
- A scammer will also call you, send text messages, or chat through WhatsApp saying that he is a bank employee and you need to update your bank details. This person who is posing as a bank employee will ask for your credential information such as your bank account number, PIN numbers, and so on. Typically, a bank will not ask you this information over the phone for unknown reasons. So, if you have fallen into this trap, it is suggested that you call your bank and block all the cards you have.
- A scammer will pose as a police officer to get your sensitive information including pins and verification codes.
5 Ways to Avoid Phone Scammers in UAE
Avoiding scammers in the UAE is easy if you know how to identify them. After knowing the common types of scammers, here’s what you can do to protect yourself from getting scammed through phones in the country.
- Never give your bank details to the unknown caller. This includes your Pin number, ATM code, mobile bank password, bank account, debit/credit card numbers, and so on.
- Always watch out for the unregistered phone numbers calling you. Do not call back after the call as this can be a part of the play.
- Do not give any personal details if the caller is telling you that you won a cash prize. Do not give anything that the phone caller can use against you.
- Block the unregistered number immediately.
- Do not give in to callers who have good communication skills. Scammers are very skilled nowadays. They will try to persuade you as much as possible so you can give your personal and sensitive details.
There are many ways you can protect yourself from scams. You create your own strategies to avoid them and you can also consider what we have written in this article. If you have families in the UAE who need this information, don’t forget to share this with them.