A recent survey conducted by Visa reveals that nearly 50% of consumers in the UAE who use digital payments have fallen victim to online scams. The survey indicates that 15% of the respondents have experienced being scammed on multiple occasions.

Despite the rise in sophisticated scams, a significant number of UAE consumers are willing to adopt stronger authentication measures during transactions. According to a statement from Visa, consumers are now more vigilant about identifying red flags and verifying the legitimacy of online interactions. The survey found that an impressive 99% of those polled actively take precautions to secure their online transactions.

The survey also highlights a growing acceptance of digital payments among UAE residents. More than 77% of respondents expressed that they mostly or completely trust digital transactions. Furthermore, 81% of those surveyed expect to increase their usage of digital payments over the next year.

Key findings from the Visa survey reveal that 62% of participants have been approached by individuals requesting that they transfer money on their behalf. However, only 30% of respondents admitted to being primarily responsible for falling victim to a scam, while 55% attributed the blame to others.

Although 59% of respondents have some confidence in their ability to detect fraud, a staggering 92% expressed concern that their family or friends might become victims of scams. Additionally, 90% of respondents believe that Generation X users of digital payments are the most likely to fall victim to online scams.

The survey identified that the most common red flag for fraud is a request to reset passwords or account information due to a data breach, with 68% of respondents ranking it among the top three most suspicious messages. Nearly all surveyed consumers in the UAE remain cautious about suspicious requests; 61% refuse to respond to emails asking them to transfer money for someone else, and 59% do not share their card or account details. Moreover, 48% of participants have set up text message alerts to notify them of any account transactions.