5 TIPS to prevent identity fraud in UAE

Imagination and creativity of humans are beyond control when it comes to stealing. Being digitalized is a boon and a curse. It is easy for a person to steal your identity online, make purchases from your account and freeze your credit cards, which is recognized as a criminal act of Identity Theft in most countries.

We all have been on a call where the other person claims that you have won some million dirhams and all you have to do is provide the number written on your mobile sim card or send the OTP number received in a text message. We have heard numerous cases, where the personal information of the client have been stolen, and their credit cards have been misused. Identity theft happens when somebody obtains undue access to any personalized information for example name, social security number (SSN) or financial data and utilizes it to carry out misrepresentation or for other crimes.

The crimes which an identity thief may commit with your personal information may vary from obtaining credit under your name, and in certain cases, they assume the identity of an unsuspected person completely and commit crimes bearing that identity. Data fraud is undeniably recognized criminal act wherein someone continuously targeting victims. Legal Consultants in Dubai every now and then advise clients do not share confidential information to prevent identity fraud. Limiting the disaster of data fraud primarily depend upon your own vigilance towards safeguarding your own privacy.

As now you may have an idea on how identity thieves try to steal confidential or personal information, hence, below are some common steps or tips that shall be considered in order to protect yourself and your identity:

• Do not share your personal information or allow anyone to access your Emirates ID;
• Be shrewd on social media as it has higher risks considering a lot of personal information is being shared on social media platforms;
• Always stay updated with regards to your bank account especially credit cards;
• Never entertain calls, emails and messages which seems to be a phishing scam;
• Secure your PIN or passwords and always use cash machines alone.

Federal Law Number 3 of 1987 on Criminal Law as amended and Federal Law Number 5 of 2012 on Combatting Cybercrime criminalizes those who commit fraudulent activities by different means. For instance, Article 399 of the Criminal Law states that "whosoever captures for himself or for anyone transferrable money or any document or damages or amend any document by trickery or using a false identity or personality for tricking the victim or forcing him to deliver something shall be punished with jail and fine. Similarly, Article 9 of the Cybercrime Law states that "whoever uses a fraudulent computer network by using a false address or a third-party address by any means for the purpose of committing a crime shall be punished with imprisonment and a fine not less than AED 50,000 and not more than AED 500,000."

Anyone can be trapped or become a victim of identity fraud and sometimes it is difficult to ascertain as to how the identity was stolen. Hence, if you are a victim of identity theft, you must immediately follow the following steps:

1. Report to the bank or credit card agency: This is the most important step to prevent further default as it will be aware the credit card agencies to cancel the card or stop the accused from opening any further credit lines.
2. File a Police Complaint: As urgent as intimating the credit agency; it is also important to inform the police of such an incident to track the accused and to put him behind bars.
3. Change settings: Clearly, someone has your personal information, and thus, it is inevitable for you to change all the passwords and settings to prevent further leakage of information.

Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy is a full-service law firm in UAE committed to delivering sound judgment to its clients on their most difficult and important matters.