How to Check If a Website Is Safe in the UAE Before Shopping Online

Dubai: In an era where online shopping, flash sales, and social media advertisements dominate consumer behaviour, the risk of falling prey to phishing sites, fake storefronts, or misleading offers is rising fast. To help residents protect themselves, the UAE has introduced a new online tool called “Stay Safe”, which enables users to check whether a website is legitimate or potentially fraudulent. The initiative comes as part of a broader push by the UAE Cybersecurity Council to bolster digital trust and safety.

What Is “Stay Safe”?

The “Stay Safe” platform is a free online service developed in collaboration with telecommunications and cyber agencies. It allows any user to enter the URL of a website and get an instant credibility check. The check includes assessment for red flags like malware, phishing reports, domain registration age, local registration credentials, and history of complaints. It then provides a reliability score, displayed via a colour-coded system—from high risk (red) to trustworthy (green).

The tool also supplies a breakdown of factors behind the score: how long the domain has existed, whether it has been reported for scams, and whether it is registered with local regulatory or consumer protection bodies. It is intended to be an easy first check for any resident who is unsure about a website’s authenticity before they make an online purchase or share personal or payment data.

Why It Matters Now

Online fraud has become more subtle and more dangerous. Scammers are using techniques such as fake or copied logos, misleading website designs, extremely low prices, and even cloned social media profiles to lure users. Many fake websites mimic legitimate ones so well that even detailed visual inspection may not reveal fraud.

In recent times, authorities in the UAE have warned residents about fake discounts on goods, spoofed travel and ticket-booking sites, and phishing pages masquerading as trusted brands. With such schemes becoming more frequent and sophisticated, having a dedicated verification tool helps consumers act proactively rather than reactively.

How It Works & What Users Should Know

Using “Stay Safe” is straightforward. A user visits the designated website, enters the URL of the site they want to check, and receives the assessment. The outcome gives a simple visual cue (colour or score) and detailed notes on why the site might be risky.

However, the authorities caution that the tool is not foolproof. Because new scam sites can be set up rapidly, and malicious actors frequently change domains or techniques, the tool may not have prior records in all cases. Users are advised not to rely solely on any automated rating but to combine it with common sense and additional checks.

Key Warning Signs of Scam Websites

Aside from using the verification tool, there are standard warning signs that consumers are encouraged to watch out for:

• Priced too good to be true: If a product’s price is drastically lower than competitor websites or what you know is typical, treat it with suspicion.
• Short domain registration: Scam sites often use new domains that are registered only recently.
• Missing or fake contact info: Lack of a verifiable address, phone number, or customer-service channels is a red flag.
• Poor design or grammar: Typos, broken links, low-quality images, or awkward page layout are often signs of a hastily built scam site.
• Payment methods: If a site only accepts wire transfers, crypto, or other non-reversible payment methods and lacks credit card or trusted payment gateways, caution is warranted.
• Social media presence: Legitimate businesses generally have verifiable social media profiles with interaction. A site with flimsy or no social media footprint, or suspicious follower behaviour, may be suspect.

Broader Impact & How It Helps

The “Stay Safe” tool contributes to building digital literacy among consumers. By promoting awareness of online risk factors, it empowers people to make better decisions when shopping online, especially in the UAE’s fast-paced e-commerce environment.

For businesses, the presence of such a tool encourages more trust among consumers. Reputable companies benefit when customers know there are means to distinguish genuine from fake. In turn, this may push more online merchants to improve transparency—by affirming their credentials, maintaining active customer service, verifying their business registration, and using secure payment options.

What Still Needs Caution

While the tool is a strong step forward, there are limitations and precautions users should keep in mind:

• Because fraudsters can adapt quickly (moving domains, changing website elements), even high-scoring sites might occasionally be risky.
• The tool may not detect brand new scam sites, or subtle fraudulent behaviour baked into otherwise legitimate sites.
• Users must still be cautious about giving out personal or financial data. Even on sites that check out, ensure secure connections (HTTPS), use strong unique passwords, and avoid public WiFi when transacting.

Conclusion

The introduction of the “Stay Safe” verification tool represents a timely and proactive initiative by the UAE to guard residents against online fraud. As e-commerce and online transactions become more ingrained in daily life, the risks increase, but so do the defenses.

By combining automated checks with user vigilance—awareness of domain age, site design, payment methods, and reputation—consumers can significantly reduce the chance of falling victim to scams. And with tools like this becoming available, the UAE strengthens its digital ecosystem, making it safer for buyers, more credible for trustworthy businesses, and harder for bad actors to exploit unsuspecting users.