UAE Banks Urge Extra Cards and App Controls as Unauthorised Card Use Attempts Rise
UAE bankers warn of rising unauthorised card use attempts, advising consumers to use secondary cards, virtual options and tighter app controls to limit fraud and losses.
The Central message from leading retail banks and industry practitioners is clear: unauthorised card use is being attempted with increasing frequency, even when customers shop on well-known international sites. Bank investigations have halted many transactions, but customers remain anxious after receiving SMS alerts and push notifications about attempted charges from overseas merchants. Financial institutions are urging practical steps — including issuing a secondary card for online purchases, avoiding saved card data, and activating transaction limits and temporary e-commerce blocks in mobile apps — to reduce exposure.
Customers report blocked overseas charges
Several bank customers told reporters they received messages about attempted debits or purchases linked to foreign merchants, despite using only reputable websites. In many cases the banks’ security systems intercepted the transactions before completion, but some account holders still cancelled cards as a precaution. The pattern has raised questions among shoppers about how card data is being obtained and why attempts persist against cards that are not widely circulated.
Banks conduct case-by-case probes and set compensation rules
Bank officials confirmed that each suspected incident triggers a formal investigation to determine responsibility and potential reimbursement. They emphasise that compensation is unlikely if inquiries show the customer voluntarily disclosed confidential card details such as the card number, expiry date, CVV or one-time passwords (OTP). Investigators therefore examine whether social engineering or voluntary disclosure played a role before any refund is approved.
Bankers advise a dedicated purchase card and tight limits
Industry advisers recommend that consumers use a secondary or dedicated card for online shopping rather than their primary account card. By provisioning a card with a limited balance or single-use value, customers can reduce the impact of any data exposure. Banks also promote virtual cards and single-use numbers as an additional layer of protection for online transactions.
Threats can come from devices, phishing and third parties
Experts caution that shopping on known websites reduces risk but does not eliminate it, because threats can originate from infected devices, advanced phishing campaigns, or data leaks within the payments ecosystem. Malware on a smartphone or laptop can capture card details before they reach a merchant, and security gaps at any intermediary in the payment flow can expose information to fraudsters.
Customers request more app-based controls
Account holders have asked banks for more granular controls in their mobile applications, including the ability to temporarily disable online purchases, turn off contactless payments, and set bespoke daily or per-transaction limits. Such controls would allow users to reduce the attack surface and react quickly if they suspect their card data has been compromised. Banks say many of these features are already available in some form, and they are exploring ways to expand their accessibility and ease of use.
Practical steps banks and consumers should adopt
Banks are encouraging clients to avoid storing full card details on merchant sites unless absolutely necessary, enable real-time notifications for every transaction, and never share OTPs or CVV codes with anyone claiming to represent the bank. Consumers are advised to use virtual or disposable card numbers for unfamiliar merchants and to update device software and anti-malware tools regularly. When unauthorised activity is suspected, immediate reporting and temporary card suspension remain critical to halting further attempts.
Incidents of attempted unauthorised card use underline the evolving nature of payment fraud and the importance of layered security, from consumer behaviour to bank-side fraud detection. While banks continue to refine monitoring and response procedures, customers who adopt the recommended safeguards — dedicated purchase cards, virtual options, app-based transaction controls and vigilance against sharing authentication data — will significantly reduce the likelihood of financial loss.
