7 Tips to Escape Tourist Scams in The UAE

• Written by Bhawika Khushlani

  Reviewed by Nidhi Goyal

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Flaunting its lavish lifestyle, grandeur architecture, and iconic skyscrapers, the UAE is among the top tourist destinations. Each year, it expects more than a million tourists to experience its luxurious and world-class facilities. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are among the most popular cities where people fly worldwide for an unforgettable travel experience.

However,  some scams in the Middle East target tourists who are unfamiliar with the local surroundings. If not handled carefully, it can ruin your trip's joy. Hence, you must be mindful and take precautions to avoid these risks and enjoy your UAE trip to the fullest.

Let’s discuss common prevailing scams, followed by tips on how to avoid tourist scams in the UAE.

What are the Common Tourist Scams in the UAE?

When travelling to different countries, the expectation of the trip's success is usually at its peak. However, one scam can affect you mentally and financially, making this experience the worst. To escape this loss, here are some common Scams targeting tourists in the Middle East:

Avoid Being Overcharged for Taxis and Private Car Rentals

Overcharging tourists for taxis and private car rentals is one of the most common tourist scams in the UAE. The unlicensed drivers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often drive without a meter and may ask for higher fares for shorter distances. To avoid such scams in Dubai, you must always prefer licensed drivers during your stay in the country.

Beware of Pickpockets

Pickpocketing is one of the most prevalent Dubai tourist traps. You may notice strangers approaching you with meals. Be careful of them, as news of spilling food and drinks in an attempt to rob you is one of the most common robbery tricks for pickpockets in the UAE.

Never Fall for a Phoney Tour Guide Scam

Many fake and unlicensed tour operators demand advanced payment for low-priced tours with quality services. But after receiving the payment, they deliver cheap, low-quality services or sometimes cancel the tour at the last minute.

Money Demand Call by Immigration Officers (Scammers)

One of the most common tourist scams is receiving calls from fake immigration officers with money demands. They target immigrants and ask them to pay fines for counterfeit charges. They can even take the name of police officers and threaten you with deportation. The best way to avoid scams in Dubai like this is to contact the police and verify the caller's details.

Gold Market Scams Dubai

The Gold Souk is one of the largest and most popular gold markets and is also known for being one of the most famous Dubai tourist traps. Only purchase gold from reliable dealers and double-check the quality in what you are investing in as many dealers may scam you with fake (or poor quality gold at the prices of real gold.

You must also be aware of how much gold you carry from Dubai to India to avoid any hassles on your way back.

Be Careful with Your Drinks

Pubs and bars surely offer a mesmerising nightlife experience to tourists, but scams can happen anywhere, including here. Spiked drinks spam is among the most common tourist scams in the UAE. Whenever you are in clubs and pubs, never leave your drinks unattended and be careful if any stranger offers a drink.

Free Gifts Offering

Many street vendors and performers will try to beckon you with gift offerings. Don’t fall for these types of travel scams in the UAE, as once accepted, they will demand an inflated payment.

Tips for UAE Tourist Scam Prevention

Wondering how to avoid getting scammed in Dubai or the UAE? Take a look at these UAE travel safety tips:

• Awareness: You must be aware of the above-mentioned scams in the UAE and try not to fall into the scammers' traps. 
• Authentic Sources: Always use reputable service providers when making advanced bookings for hotels, cafes, or tour guides. When renting a car, rely only on licensed taxi or cab services. You can also choose to use local transport apps. 
• Protection Away from Home: Incidents such as loss/ theft of identity documents, lost luggage or worse, a curtailed trip can occur unannounced. Here, a travel insurance plan from Care Health Insurance shall ensure that you are financially covered for these emergencies.
• Local Laws: One of the most essential tips on how to stay safe in the UAE is to understand local laws and customs and plan your trip accordingly. This will help you avoid unintentionally disrespecting local traditions. 
• Attentiveness: It is vital to be aware of your surroundings to keep your belongings safe. Tourists and people in crowded areas are most likely to be affected by scams like pickpocketing. If you suspect any UAE scams or Dubai tourist traps, report them to the local authorities.
• Read Reviews: Before booking any guided tour, check their official websites and verify their reviews to avoid UAE travel scams.
• Stay Active: Be cautious of overly friendly strangers who often ask for help or favours.  They might scam or rob you. 

What Should I Do If I Get Scammed in the UAE?

Here are some emergency contacts if you, unfortunately, get scammed or suspect any scam:

• Police: 999
• Ambulance: 998
• Fire/Civil Defence: 997
• Abu Dhabi Tourism Police: +971 2 800 2626 or +971 2 512 7777
• Dubai Tourism Police: +971 4 609 6239
• UAE Government Services: 171
• Indian Embassy: +971 2 449 2700

Travel Insurance: Your Ultimate Safety Net

The coverage for a single-trip travel insurance to the UAE trip starts @ ₹28.98/day!

While the tips above empower you to navigate the UAE safely, unforeseen circumstances can still arise out of the blue!

Besides, healthcare costs abroad can be expensive. Here, the best travel insurance for the UAE would act as your financial fallback option. The plan secures your journey against unexpected medical and non-medical emergencies, loss of baggage, trip interruptions, trip delays, loss of travel documents, personal liability, pre-existing disease, and also offers 24*7 claim and customer support for when you are in need.

Enjoy Skyscrapers' Charm without Getting Scammed!

The UAE’s charm has many attractions to offer tourists. From Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to Abu Dhabi’s historical villages, countless architectural wonders are worth exploring and enjoying incredible experiences. However, a little carelessness or the wrong step can ruin all expectations and make your trip unforgettable, but surely not in a good way. To avoid this damage, remember the above-mentioned tips, and you will be all safe to explore the skyscrapers your way!

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.