Emirates Society for Consumer Protection warns of fake platforms charging consumers for complaint resolution

Government

Emirates Society for Consumer Protection warns of fake platforms charging consumers for complaint resolution

The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection has issued a strong warning against fraudulent websites, platforms, and social media pages that impersonate official bodies by using government logos and falsely claiming to protect consumer rights.

According to the Society, these platforms lure individuals into filing complaints, then demand fees, bank transfers, or access to personal accounts under the pretense of resolving issues. In some cases, they claim to operate confidentially and provide “fast-track complaint services” within 48 hours, complete with fabricated reference numbers, fake contact details, and misleading claims of high satisfaction rates.

Services are free of charge

The Society clarified that it does not charge consumers any fees for complaint resolution. All its services are provided free of charge, and it never requests sensitive banking details, payment links, or money transfers. Consumers were urged to immediately reject any payment request, block suspicious sources, and report incidents to relevant authorities.

The Society also revealed that it has already received reports of fraudulent platforms illegally using its logo and issuing counterfeit complaint forms requiring personal details such as names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Exploiting consumer concerns

These fake platforms typically list 17 common complaint categories, including defective products, commercial fraud, price manipulation, fraudulent gold and diamond sales, poor after-sales service, and non-compliance with promotional offers. They also mislead consumers with “accepted complaint lists” covering online fraud, misleading advertisements, counterfeit goods, contract violations, refund delays, data breaches, and service misconduct.

Fraud and deception

Highlighting the risks, the Society warned that such platforms aim to steal personal data and exploit consumer frustrations with hidden fees, unresolved service issues, and fraudulent trading schemes.

Reiterating its official role, the Emirates Society for Consumer Protection emphasized its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights, raising awareness, and addressing complaints through legitimate channels only.