Dubai Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Dubai Police (Tourist Security Dept)
  +971 4 608 0000
  24/7, English/Arabic/Hindi/Urdu
• Dubai Consumer Protection (Ain Dubai)
  600 545 555
  app 'Dubai Consumer' — commercial disputes
• RTA (transport complaints)
  8009090
  Taxi long-haul refunds

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call Police on 999 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Dubai Police (Tourist Security Dept) on +971 4 608 0000 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/dubai

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. Gold shop switch in Deira Gold Souk
   Weighed at 22ct at the counter; the piece you take home tests at 14ct.
   Avoid: Only buy from members of the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (dubaijewellerygroup.com) — regulated, receipts standardised.
   If it happens: Return within 15 days for a refund if piece is not as described (UAE Consumer Protection Law).
2. 2. Timeshare 'holiday club' pitch at Dubai Mall / airport
   'Scratch-and-win' gives you a 'free luxury holiday' — actually a 4-hour timeshare pitch.
   Avoid: Skip all scratchcards, 'lucky draw' desks, and 'holiday winner' pitches.
   If it happens: UAE Consumer Protection allows 15-day cooling-off on signed timeshare contracts — file rescission in writing immediately.
3. 3. DXB airport taxi long-hauling
   Driver takes E11 → E44 detour, doubling the fare.
   Avoid: Take official RTA taxi from the marked rank — every driver's ID is on dashboard.
   If it happens: Pay only reasonable fare based on Google Maps route; photograph plate & driver ID.
4. 4. ATM skimming in tourist zones
   Skimmers on non-bank ATMs at hotel lobbies and metro stations.
   Avoid: Use ATMs inside major UAE bank branches only: Emirates NBD, ADCB, HSBC, First Abu Dhabi Bank.
   If it happens: Freeze card immediately via banking app.
5. 5. Fake real estate viewing tour bait
   'Investment tour' with free lunch becomes 5-hour pressure sale for a $500k off-plan flip.
   Avoid: Never share property preferences via WhatsApp with a broker you don't know.
   If it happens: UAE law gives cooling-off on some property purchases — check with RERA.