Online shoppers urged to be vigilant
Ministry of Economy sounds warning as it marks GCC Consumer Protection Day
Online shoppers have been urged to take precautions against fraud during a Dubai conference marking 12th GCC Consumer Protection Day yesterday.
Speakers from the Ministry of Economy, other authorities and businesses said consumers must familiarise themselves with their rights and responsibilities.
In Dubai alone, 1,230 consumers made complaints through social media and websites regarding fraudulent commercial activity online, data revealed at the event yesterday showed.
A representative of the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection said there is only so much authorities can do if the alleged cyber swindlers are based outside the UAE.
Consumers were cautioned against falling victim to online shopping fraud as the Ministry of Economy marked the 12th GCC Consumer Protection Day yesterday.
In Dubai alone, the Department of Economic Development (DED) has received 1,230 complaints from consumers via websites and social media platforms, Ahmad Mohammad Al Awadi, director of the DED’s Consumer Protection Department, said at a conference held on the occasion yesterday.
He said the DED cooperated with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and other entities concerned on the closure of several social media accounts that promoted fake products violating trademark and consumer rights.
The comments come on the heels of a DED announcement in February that its Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector received 27,027 consumer complaints in
2016 — a 23 per cent increase on 2015 figures.
Yesterday’s event reiterated previous advisories for consumers to remain vigilant, especially when shopping online. The theme of this year’s annual event was ‘Towards ConsumerSafe Online Shopping.’
Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the event, Khalid Al Hosni, chairman of the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection (ESCP), said UAE consumers are still largely unaware of the risks of online shopping.
“When you buy or sell online, you’re not dealing with someone face to face. If there’s a problem, the person [buyer or seller] or company might not be in the UAE, so it’ll be difficult to solve the problem. Our lives are more and more digital nowadays, especially through the mobile phone,” Al Hosni said.
Consumer protection
He added that it was essential for consumers to familiarise themselves with the UAE consumer protection rules and online security.
Yesterday’s ceremony began with a speech by Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehi, the ministry’s undersecretary for economic affairs, delivered on his behalf by Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the ministry’s Consumer Protection Department.
Al Shehi discussed some of the decisions made during 2016 that have had a positive impact on consumers including preventing the imposition of additional fees when using credit cards for trade and government services.