Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

UAE authorities have issued a fresh warning about online scams targeting residents with fake gift offers, urging the public to remain vigilant against phishing attacks that can steal personal data. The UAE Cybersecurity Council highlighted a rise in fraud schemes where scammers entice victims with too-good-to-be-true deals, such as “Get 50% off your purchase by filling in your details” or “Claim your free gift now.” “These deceptive offers often lead users to click on fraudulent links, exposing them to malware or tricking them into providing sensitive information,” according to the council. Phishing scams use various social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. Common methods include email phishing (fake bank emails), vishing (voice phishing), smishing (SMS phishing), and baiting (luring victims with free downloads). To raise awareness, the council released a video on its official X account showing how cybercriminals craft convincing messages that mimic legitimate businesses. According to the council, some of the clickbait phrases that fraudsters use are: "Alert: Your password expires today. Click here to update your banking details." "Urgent: Unusual login attempt detected. Verify your account now." Authorities warn that once scammers obtain personal data, they can use it for fraud, sell it on the dark web, or launch further cyberattacks. “The key to avoiding these scams is vigilance,” an official from the Cybersecurity Council stated. “Always verify messages and never provide confidential information through unverified links or calls.” Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities and follow best practices for online safety, such as enabling two-factor authentication and regularly updating passwords. ICA/Expat Media
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