Nearly 50% of UAE consumers using digital payments have been tricked by online scams, according to a new survey by Visa. Of those affected, 15% admitted to being scammed multiple times.
Despite the growing sophistication of online fraud, UAE consumers are becoming more vigilant, with 99% saying they take active measures to secure their transactions. Many are also open to stronger authentication processes to enhance their security.
Visa’s annual Stay Secure study highlights that scammers are increasingly leveraging AI-driven tools to bypass defenses. Yet, consumer awareness is improving, with more people recognizing red flags and verifying the legitimacy of online interactions.
The survey also found that digital payments remain highly trusted, with 77% of respondents expressing confidence in such transactions. Additionally, 81% expect to increase their use of digital payments in the coming year.
Among common scam tactics, 62% of surveyed consumers reported being approached to transfer money on behalf of someone else. However, only 30% acknowledged personal responsibility for falling victim, while 55% believed others were to blame.
Although 59% of respondents feel confident in spotting fraud, 92% worry that their family and friends might not be as cautious. Gen X users were identified as the most vulnerable to online scams, according to 90% of those surveyed.
The most alarming red flag for fraud remains requests to reset passwords or update account information due to a data breach, with 68% of respondents ranking it among the most suspicious messages. Meanwhile, 61% ignore emails asking for money transfers, 59% avoid sharing card details, and 48% have set up text alerts for account transactions.
