Credit card fraud while travelling? Here’s what to do
After discovering five unauthorised transactions abroad, I learnt why acting quickly matters
12 October, 2026
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There are few things more unsettling than discovering that your credit card has been used without your knowledge, particularly when you are travelling overseas.
That is exactly what happened to me recently.
I was outside the UAE when I noticed a series of transaction alerts on my phone late at night. To my surprise, there were around five transactions on my credit card that I had neither made nor authorised.
My immediate concern was not just the money already charged to the card, but whether more transactions would follow.
Fortunately, the first step towards protecting my account was relatively straightforward. And it is something most UAE credit card holders can do within seconds.
First step: Block the credit card immediately
The moment I realised something was wrong, I opened my bank’s mobile application and blocked the credit card.
There was no need to wait until the next morning or visit a branch. The option was available directly through the banking app.
Most major UAE banks offer customers the ability to temporarily freeze or permanently block their cards through mobile banking.
This is arguably the most important immediate action when suspicious transactions appear. Blocking the card helps prevent further unauthorised spending, although it may not reverse transactions that have already been processed.
For anyone travelling abroad, knowing where the card-blocking feature is located within their banking application can make a significant difference during an emergency.
Customers should also contact their bank’s official fraud reporting channel and arrange for a replacement card where necessary.
Second step: Raise a dispute for the fraudulent transactions
Blocking the card, however, is only the beginning.
The next step is to formally dispute the transactions that have already taken place.
In my case, there were approximately five transactions that needed to be flagged as unauthorised.
Depending on the bank, customers can initiate a dispute through the mobile application, online banking, email or customer service.
The process typically involves identifying the disputed transactions and confirming that they were not authorised by the cardholder.
It is important to retain the transaction notifications, amounts, dates and any correspondence with the bank. These details can prove useful during the investigation.
Once the dispute has been submitted, the bank reviews the complaint to determine whether it qualifies for further investigation and any applicable temporary credit.
Third step: Understanding provisional credit
One aspect of the dispute process that customers should understand is the concept of provisional credit.
After reviewing a disputed transaction, a bank may determine that the customer is eligible for a provisional credit equivalent to the disputed amount.
In simple terms, this means the bank temporarily credits the amount while the investigation continues.
However, provisional credit should not be confused with a final refund or confirmation that the dispute has been resolved in the customer’s favour.
The investigation may involve the bank, the merchant and the relevant card payment network, depending on the circumstances.
There are generally two possible outcomes.
If the dispute is resolved in the customer’s favour, the provisional credit becomes permanent, meaning the customer does not have to repay the disputed amount.
However, if the investigation determines that the transaction was valid or that the dispute is unsuccessful, the provisional credit may be reversed, and the amount will once again be charged to the customer’s account.
The availability and timing of provisional credit depend on the bank’s policies and the nature of the dispute.
For customers, this distinction is particularly important when reviewing credit card statements or planning repayments while an investigation remains ongoing.
Fourth step: Set transaction limits to minimise potential losses
The experience also highlighted another precaution that credit card holders should consider, even before fraud occurs.
Many banking applications allow customers to manage transaction limits, including daily ATM withdrawal limits and, in some cases, card purchase or online transaction limits.
Setting lower limits can help reduce exposure to unusually large transactions.
For example, customers who do not regularly make high-value purchases could consider reducing their permitted daily spending limit, where their bank provides this option.
This creates an additional layer of protection should card details become compromised.
However, it is important to distinguish between ATM withdrawal limits and card purchase limits. Reducing an ATM withdrawal limit alone will not necessarily prevent fraudulent online purchases.
Customers should therefore review the specific controls offered by their bank, including international transaction settings, online spending limits and instant transaction notifications.
What UAE banking regulations say
The UAE has established consumer protection requirements governing how financial institutions respond to unauthorised transactions.
Under the Central Bank of the UAE’s Consumer Protection Standards, licensed financial institutions must provide customers with digital and telephone channels available around the clock to report fraud, card theft or misuse.
Banks must also take appropriate measures to protect customers from further unauthorised transactions.
The standards provide for reimbursement of unauthorised payments following an investigation or within 30 calendar days of the incident being reported or identified, whichever is shorter, subject to exceptions involving fraud or gross negligence by the customer.
Customers dissatisfied with their bank’s handling of a complaint can also consider escalating the matter through Sanadak, the UAE’s independent financial and insurance ombudsman, subject to its eligibility and complaint procedures.
The biggest lesson: Speed matters
Looking back, what stood out most was how quickly the situation developed.
One moment, I was travelling abroad without any concerns about my credit card. The next, I was dealing with multiple transactions that I had not authorised.
The ability to block the card immediately through a mobile application offered an important first line of defence.
But the experience also reinforced the importance of understanding what happens after a fraudulent transaction is reported.
Blocking a card does not automatically mean the disputed money will be returned. A dispute must be raised, the bank must assess the claim, and the final outcome will depend on the investigation.
It is equally important to understand that any provisional credit may be temporary.
For UAE residents who frequently travel internationally, the practical takeaway is simple: familiarise yourself with your bank’s fraud reporting procedures, activate transaction notifications and review your card’s spending controls before leaving the country.
Credit card fraud can happen unexpectedly. Being prepared and acting quickly can help limit the financial damage and make the recovery process considerably easier.
