Stay alert – keep your money, property, and identity safe

Omar was surprised to see the word “Police” showing up on his caller ID when his phone received a message. Since he had just got a message titled “Official Government Alert”, he decided to open the message. However, the tone and the content, asking him to click on a link, made him suspicious. When he checked official sources, he saw several messages warning people not to share personal information.

In March 2026, authorities in the UAE published warnings about unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the ongoing disturbances in the region to try and scam people. Here is how to stay safe from such attempts.

1. Threats of fines:

People in the UAE have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from various government departments threatening them with fines if they don’t comply with demands for information through a link.

Don’t share banking information: Government bodies and financial regulators don’t requests confidential banking information from customers. Any such request should be treated as fraudulent.

2. Emergency services:

Several individuals have reported receiving messages asking people in the UAE to complete a mandatory registration form to qualify for state support or insurance coverage.

Don’t click on links: Go to the official government site to verify any links. The Ministry of Interior has alerted against sharing any such information.

3. Property deals:

People have reported being approached for promos promising free hotel stays, which turn out to be elaborate hoaxes instead of time-share deals. Similarly, if you are renting property, ensure that the Ejari is in place before making any payments.

Don’t put down any deposits: Being rushed into a decision is a typical fraud tactic. Walk away from any deals that require instant payment.

4. Customs compliance:

A message titled Customs Compliance Notification tells you that your shipment is awaiting clearance and urges you to enter your data by clicking on a link.

Don’t interact: Abu Dhabi Customs has warned of fraudulent messages circulating via SMS and iMessage impersonating the authority as well as shipping companies. Consumers are warned not to interact with the message in any way and contact their seller directly.

5. Travel support:

With flight schedules changing and passengers needing to rebook or reschedule, impersonators pretending to be airline support staff approach people, asking them to fill a form to process refunds or compensation.

Don’t share your card details: No one needs your CVV number or OTP to make a payment to you. Do not share this data.

Stay alert and safeguard your money. Here is how to stay safe from fake invoice scams.

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