Online buyers must check profile of firms

Businesses that have a shopping portal should be registered with DED

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector (CCCP) of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) has warned consumers not to be involved in any online shopping before checking the company profile.

Dubai-based businesses that want to get into online activities, should be registered with the DED as well as have a physical headquarters through which they operate the business from, or have a confirmed website registered under the .ae domain name, said Omar Bu Shahab, CEO of the registration and licensing at DED.

Several companies were found violating the consumer protection law by promoting and selling their goods and services online without having the DED licence, said Mohammad Lootah, chief executive of CCCP. He said that Dubai authorities will take action to protect consumers’ rights in case of any fraud online transaction if the company is based in the emirate. However, he added that nothing can be done if consumers are involved in a purchase activity with a fake company or with a firm which has no presence in the local market.

“Business owners can sell their products online or promote their goods via any of the social media channels if they are licenced by DED,” Lootah said.

Dubai authority recently caught an individual without a licence who was enticing customers via BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), trying to sell them different kinds of goods. And the case was transferred to Dubai Courts.

In 2012 CCCP asked retailers to display the DED consumer complaints helpline number, 600 545555, when they offer goods or services for purchase online in order to ensure the credibility of the portal.