The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has raised an alert, warning residents to be cautious of a surge in email phishing scams targeting individuals and businesses across the country. The warning follows an increase in reports of cybercriminals attempting to deceive recipients into sharing sensitive information through fraudulent emails, posing as legitimate organizations.
According to the FTA, phishing scams are designed to trick unsuspecting victims into providing personal and financial details, such as bank account numbers and tax information. These cybercriminals often mimic trusted entities like banks, government agencies, or well-known companies, using email addresses and official-looking formats that closely resemble legitimate communications.
Cybercriminals frequently employ deceptive tactics to create a sense of urgency or fear in their targets, pressuring them into divulging sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. In many cases, they request confidential information like bank account details, login credentials, or tax-related data, all with the intent to exploit this information for fraudulent financial transactions.
One of the common tricks used by scammers is to send fake invoices that appear to be from legitimate businesses or service providers, hoping to extract payments or steal money from the recipient. These fake emails may also contain harmful attachments designed to infect the user’s device with malware or spyware.
The FTA advises residents to be vigilant and refrain from sharing personal or financial details with unknown sources or through unverified channels. They recommend checking the authenticity of any email requesting sensitive information by contacting the organization directly via official communication methods.
Residents are also advised to avoid opening unsolicited email attachments or clicking on links from unfamiliar or suspicious sources. Malicious attachments often contain malware designed to infiltrate the user’s computer system, leading to potential data breaches or financial loss.
