Fraud and Security Awareness

Protecting your information is a shared responsibility

Emirates Islamic has invested significantly in fraud prevention resources to ensure that you receive the highest level of protection. By using the best possible methods to avoid and fight against scammers and fraudsters, we aim to secure your financial transactions at every step of your banking journey. Beyond our efforts, we encourage you to take additional safety measures to protect yourself from online scams and bank fraud.

Always Remember

Banks or official authorities will never ask for or pressure you into sharing your passwords or authentication codes over electronic communication.
Emirates Islamic employees will never, under any circumstances, request cash from customers for any reason through electronic communication.

Common Methods Scammers Use

They impersonate police, bank, UAE Central Bank, or government staff to trick callers using a false sense of urgency.
They try to access information via WhatsApp messages pretending to be from official authorities.
They send unofficial links via SMS from private numbers pretending to be from a delivery service.
They make false calls telling you to log in to your EI + mobile app and give them your Smart Pass authentication number because your card is blocked.
They will make a fake call forcing you to share and “reconfirm” personal data to validate an expired or suspended Emirates ID.

Common Scams in the UAE

There are many ways that people fall victim to fraud. Here are three commonly used methods.

SIM Swap

A SIM swap scam is a type of fraud where criminals get telecom providers to issue duplicate SIM cards for a victim's phone. This allows them to get confidential SMS notifications like OTPs or other authentication codes. They can then use this information to carry out unauthorised transactions. If you receive a "SIM not registered" message on your phone, you may have fallen victim to this scam. In this case, contact your telecom provider and ask for an immediate SIM de-activation.

Vishing

Vishing is when criminals use phone calls pretending to be from a legitimate entity to trick you into giving them sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers. For example, they may claim to be a bank employee calling to tell you that your account has some unusual activity. They will then try to pressure you into giving them confidential information.

Phishing

In email phishing scams, fraudsters will send you emails containing links aiming to steal personal information or install malicious software on your device. Clicking on these links usually leads you to a page requesting private details – filling out these details could result in financial loss or identity theft. These emails often pretend to be from trustworthy sources, such as your bank.

Security Tips

Follow these tips to help protect yourself against fraud.

ATM Security

Ensure that there is adequate distance between yourself and others near you when using the ATM.
Be alert and look for any signs of a card skimmer by inspecting the card scanner area for any signs of tampering.
Never share confidential details such as your card number, expiry date, CVV or an OTP with anyone.
Do not force your card into the slot.
Always request the ATM for a receipt when you complete your transaction.
If the ATM retains your card, cancel the card immediately.
Keep track of all your expenses.

Online Security

Use a password on your PC to prevent unauthorized access to your information.
Be wary of opening email messages from suspicious sources, especially if they contain attachments.
Do not reply to emails that ask you for personal information.
Emirates Islamic’s Online Banking can only be securely accessed through our official site.
Never log into your bank's mobile website while using public Wi-Fi.
Use unique passwords for all financial online accounts.
Be sure to update your passwords frequently and do not share them with others.
Ensure that your browser address has a padlock icon and begins with “https”, not “http”.
Do not leave your internet banking session unattended at any time.
Don’t save your usernames and passwords in your browser and always log out.
Only install applications from official websites and app stores.
If you see a message along the lines of "We are checking your security settings. Each step could take up to 10 minutes" while logging in to Emirates Islamic Online Banking, close the web page immediately.
Avoid adding your Online Banking link to your list of favourites on your browsers.
Always have genuine up-to-date antivirus software installed.
Block and report WhatsApp messages from known or unknown numbers asking you to share OTPs or sensitive information.

Emirates Islamic complies with the global standards for card security and data protection regulations. To learn more about Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), click here.

UAE Bank Federation

UAE Bank Federation (UBF) are dedicated to promoting fraud awareness and have created a booklet to simplify possible encounters. This booklet is made to support in identifying potential fraud activities you may encounter.

Click here to view the booklet.

Contact Us

Please report any suspicious activity, calls and other forms of communication immediately to +971 600 599 995.

If you have unfortunately fallen victim to fraud, we advise that you to maintain a written timeline of what happened and the steps you took. Be sure to record the date, time and any relevant information related to the incident.