If you need to exchange money for goods or services with someone you don’t know, the safest way to do that is through credit cards, experts say. PA
If you need to exchange money for goods or services with someone you don’t know, the safest way to do that is through credit cards, experts say. PA
If you need to exchange money for goods or services with someone you don’t know, the safest way to do that is through credit cards, experts say. PA
If you need to exchange money for goods or services with someone you don’t know, the safest way to do that is through credit cards, experts say. PA

Business

Money

Five strategies to use payment apps safely

Avoid questionable payment requests, only send money to people you know and upgrade your privacy settings

Kimberly Palmer

February 17, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

As a frequent PayPal user, I wasn’t surprised to see a payment request on the app pop up. But when I read it, I knew something was wrong.

In the message, a stranger asked me to send them $699 to get a “refund”.

While I instantly recognised the request as fraudulent, I still felt vulnerable; I didn’t immediately see any obvious way to flag the request as a fraud, and with one click, I could have accidentally sent this stranger a huge chunk of money.

I am hardly alone in my worry over security when using peer-to-peer payment apps.

About one third of people who use payment apps or websites say they are “a little or not at all confident that payment apps or sites keep people’s personal information safe from hackers or unauthorised users”, according to a Pew Research Centre survey published last September.

And an alarming 13 per cent of people who have used PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Cash App say they have made the mistake of sending money to a fraudster.

Fraud prevention experts recommend these strategies to keep your money safe.

1. Only send money to people you know

Generally, peer-to-peer payment apps are designed to send money between friends — not strangers. If you use them to send money to someone you don’t know, then you put yourself at risk of fraud.

“You shouldn’t send money unless you’ve met people in real life and know who you are sending money to,” says Paul Benda, senior vice president of operational risk and cybersecurity at the American Bankers Association, a trade association for the banking industry.

“If you do that, and you’re careful in terms of what number you are sending money to, these apps can be a convenient, safe and efficient way to move money.”

2. Use cash and credit cards in high-risk situations

If you need to exchange money for goods or services with someone you don’t know, the safest way to do that is through cash or credit cards, says Axton Betz-Hamilton, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Consumer Sciences at South Dakota State University and author of The Less People Know About Us, a memoir about identity theft.

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Credit cards, for example, come with fraud protection attached.

“I want that protection, so I don’t use these apps,” she says.

While stolen cash can be harder to recover, it may be covered by homeowners and renters insurance policies (up to your policy’s limit and depending on your policy).

3. Be wary of texts, calls or unsolicited requests

Frauds are often perpetuated when fraudsters send a text, phone call or other kind of message urging you to send money, perhaps claiming you are due a refund or late on a bill.

“Fraudsters continue to get better at what they do,” says Joel Williquette, senior vice president of operational risk policy at Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group for community banks.

That includes sending emails that are almost indistinguishable from legitimate banking emails.

A cyber criminal might impersonate the Internal Revenue Service or FBI and ask you to send a peer-to-peer payment immediately to satisfy a debt, but Mr Williquette says legitimate agencies will never contact you by text or call your cell phone with an urgent request for money.

“Typically, they will send you a letter,” he says, and they don’t ask for payment through apps or gift cards — another red flag.

_____________________________________

From phishing to smishing: know your frauds

The use of technology in everyday lives has led to growth in scams and fraud. Reem Mohammed / The National
The use of technology in everyday lives has led to growth in scams and fraud. Reem Mohammed / The National
Phishing is one of the most common methods used by fraudsters and it involves sending an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The National
Phishing is one of the most common methods used by fraudsters and it involves sending an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The National
Smishing — the SMS equivalent of phishing — is where fraudsters falsify the telephone number so it appears to be a genuine text from a bank or well-known company. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Smishing — the SMS equivalent of phishing — is where fraudsters falsify the telephone number so it appears to be a genuine text from a bank or well-known company. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Vishing is the telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. Getty Images
Vishing is the telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. Getty Images
SIM swap involves fraudsters duplicating the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank. AP
SIM swap involves fraudsters duplicating the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank. AP
Identity theft is where someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks. Getty Images
Identity theft is where someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks. Getty Images
Prize scams involve fraudsters claiming to represent well-known organisations. They contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Prize scams involve fraudsters claiming to represent well-known organisations. They contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Instagram influencer Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi, used a technique known as business email compromise.
Instagram influencer Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi, used a technique known as business email compromise.
The tax authority said some bank customers in the UAE have received phishing emails impersonating financial institutions. EPA
The tax authority said some bank customers in the UAE have received phishing emails impersonating financial institutions. EPA
Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, says: ‘Scammers are relentless when it comes to wanting our personal information and ultimately our money.’ PA
Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, says: ‘Scammers are relentless when it comes to wanting our personal information and ultimately our money.’ PA
Netflix's The Tinder Swindler tells the story of three women who say they were conned out of $500. Photo: @simon_leviev_official via Instagram
Netflix's The Tinder Swindler tells the story of three women who say they were conned out of $500. Photo: @simon_leviev_official via Instagram

A fraudulent payment request sent on a peer-to-peer payment app is “usually for a small dollar amount and might even look like it’s from a friend”, says Eva Velasquez, president and chief executive of the Identity Theft Resource Centre, a non-profit.

Ms Velasquez urges people to verify requests first by double-checking they are sending money to the correct person, and says it is easier to fall for fraud when you are distracted and multitasking.

4. Upgrade your cyber hygiene

Enabling two-factor authentication on financial accounts, adding a pin lock to your phone and using unique passwords that are at least 12 characters long can help keep you safe, Ms Velasquez says.

In addition, she suggests setting your app privacy settings to the most private option to minimise the amount of information about you that is publicly available.

5. Flag fraud attempts

According to PayPal, if you receive a payment request like the one I got, you should cancel the request without paying.

Additionally, you can take a screenshot and forward it to phishing@paypal.com.

PayPal adds that you should not reply, open links, download attachments or call any phone number included in the request.

If you mistakenly disclosed any financial or personal data to a swindler, PayPal says you should change your password immediately, alert your bank and report any unauthorised payments to PayPal.

In my case, I cancelled the payment request and never heard from my would-be fraudster again.

With enhanced security steps in place, I plan to continue to take advantage of the convenience of PayPal and other payments apps — and now I know what to do next time I get an unsolicited payment request.

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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

On Women's Day
The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17

European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th

PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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Key findings
  • Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
  • Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase. 
  • People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”. 
  • Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better. 
  • But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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Results

2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili

3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
UAE currency
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Everton%20Fixtures
%3Cp%3EApril%2015%20-%20Chelsea%20(A)%3Cbr%3EApril%2021%20-%20N.%20Forest%20(H)%3Cbr%3EApril%2024%20-%20Liverpool%20(H)%3Cbr%3EApril%2027%20-%20Brentford%20(H)%3Cbr%3EMay%203%20-%20Luton%20Town%20(A)%3Cbr%3EMay%2011%20-%20Sheff%20Utd%20(H)%3Cbr%3EMay%2019%20-%20Arsenal%20(A)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Look%20Both%20Ways
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Wanuri%20Kahiu%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Lili%20Reinhart%2C%20Danny%20Ramirez%2C%20David%20Corenswet%2C%20Luke%20Wilson%2C%20Nia%20Long%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More coverage from the Future Forum
Fixtures (all in UAE time)

Friday

Everton v Burnley 11pm

Saturday

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm

West Ham United v Southampton 6pm

Wolves v Fulham 6pm

Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm

Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm

Sunday

Chelsea v Watford 5pm

Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm

Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm

Monday

Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm

 

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
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Ain Issa camp:
  • Established in 2016
  • Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
  • Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
  • Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
  • 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
  • NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
  • One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region

Awar Qalb

Director: Jamal Salem

Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman

Two stars

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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ROUTE%20TO%20TITLE
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Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

UAE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani

Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh

Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani

Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri

SQUADS

UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan

Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

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  • Power: 640hp
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

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Updated: February 17, 2023, 5:00 AM`
Personal financeCyber crime