UAE issues new online shopping alert

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a warning to shoppers about fraud schemes during peak shopping seasons.

The council urged individuals to protect themselves by using secure payment methods, such as digital wallets, sticking to trusted shopping websites, and refraining from clicking on suspicious links.
The Council noted that “fraudulent shopping messages often include fake offers and discounts, suspicious links, and language designed to pressure shoppers into acting quickly to take advantage of a so-called opportunity before it expires, leading to significant cybersecurity risks”.

These messages often surface during seasonal discount windows such as Black Friday and similar events.Statistics reveal over 38 million phishing attacks were recorded in 2024, as cybercriminals exploited the increase in online activity and seasonal shopping trends.

The Council highlighted a 36.5% rise last year in the detection of suspicious URLs and the growing risks associated with high-demand events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
‘Special offers’
The Council explained the risks associated with targeted shopping seasons, showcasing examples of fraudulent offer messages that often lead to scams, such as:

• “Shop our holiday deals! Up to 50% off all products with free shipping on all orders.”
• “Limited-time offer: Get exclusive deals on our site before they’re gone today!”
• “Urgent: Order now and enjoy a 50% holiday discount. Enter your payment details here.”
• “Your Cyber Monday order can’t be shipped. Click [here] to verify your payment details immediately.”
• “Shop authentic luxury products with discounts up to 50%. Visit our site to shop safely.”
  ‘Outsmart the scammers’
  The Council urged shoppers to follow three strategies to outsmart scammers:

1. Use digital wallets and credit cards for added transaction security.
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information online.
3. Verify that websites use the secure HTTPS protocol and display trusted payment system icons and logos.

Additionally, shoppers should regularly review their bank statements to detect unauthorised financial activity.

The Council emphasised the importance of increasing awareness and exercising caution to protect online payments from cyber threats.
Pay securely
It also released a guide for secure online payments, offering practical tips, including:

• Ensuring payment gateways are secure by using platforms with SSL encryption and trusted verification badges.
• Confirming the legitimacy of sellers by avoiding transactions with unreliable or suspicious merchants.
• Avoiding phishing links by never entering payment details through links received via email or text messages, and instead, visiting the site directly.
• Closely monitoring bank records and using multi-factor authentication to safeguard financial data and secure all transactions against fraud.