Police: Beware of fake bank websites offering ‘rewards’

abu dhabi — Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and be wary of online scams, the latest of which involves fake bank sites offering limited-time promotions.

The Abu Dhabi Police have warned that such sites target people via e-mail or their mobile phones, and they look very similar to the original bank websites. The sites would request a victim’s personal bank details and then redirect him or her to scam sites.

Among the bogus promotions are those that claim to offer rewards, air miles, merchandise and point-based cash returns, prepaid credit cards, as well as other kinds of credit cards.

Colonel Omran Ahmed Al Mazrouei, director of the criminal investigation department at the Criminal Security Sector, said people should avoid disclosing their bank details, even to the bank itself or the party that issues credit cards. Al Mazrouei warned residents of another type of scam, whereby the fraudster would call a bank, claiming to have lost a credit card.

The scammer would give all the personal information for the verification of a stolen identity. Then the person would ask for a new card and change the given address, thus gaining access to the victim’s account.

people should avoid disclosing their confidential bank statements, even to the bank itself or the party that issues credit cards Colonel Omran Ahmed Al Mazrouei, director of the criminal investigation department