The UAE’s Cyber Security Council is urging everyone to stay sharp and report scam messages. Phishing and fraud attempts are rising fast, and your best defence starts with awareness.
ABU DHABI: The Cyber Security Council (CSC) has issued a public alert urging residents to report and delete any suspicious or fraudulent messages they receive, especially those asking for personal info, offering fake refunds, or pretending to be from banks or government entities.
These scams often come through SMS or messaging apps, using urgent language or tempting offers like “You’ve won!” or “Claim your refund now!” If that sounds fishy, it probably is.
Fraudsters are getting smarter with their tricks, using tactics that look official to steal your personal and financial data. CSC says: don’t reply, don’t click, don’t engage, just block and report.
Some red flags? Messages that:
- Come from unknown numbers
- Create urgency (like “last chance!”)
- Lack your personal info
- Sound too good to be true
To protect yourself:
- Use spam blockers
- Avoid clicking links in unknown messages
- Delete anything sketchy
- Report scams to official channels
Cybercrime is evolving fast in the UAE, with scam messages rising by 35% in the last year. But a little vigilance can go a long way in keeping you safe.
