I suppose I should begin with a mea culpa. I recently wrote a comment article complaining about the standards of customer service from my bank. Specifically, I questioned the explanation that closing my local branch and moving my account to one that was further away was done in the interests of serving me better.
Having to walk further to carry out a counter transaction may be a nuisance, but I have since discovered that my bank – ADCB – is there for me when I really need it.
About three weeks ago, just after I returned from a week’s cruise in the Mediterranean and a few days in Italy, my phone lit up with a rapid series of text messages announcing cash withdrawals from my Visa credit card apparently made in Cebu in The Philippines.
Now, I have never been to Cebu, and I was sitting at my desk in Abu Dhabi, with the Visa in my wallet, when the messages came through.
I immediately phoned the bank – but by the time I got through to somebody, another bank employee was already calling me on my mobile. They had recognised the “irregularity” of the transactions and wanted to confirm whether I had, in fact, made them.
They quickly cancelled the card – but not before the thief got away with four transactions in Philippines pesos that added up to about Dh7,000. They would have taken more, but the transactions were declined because my credit limit had been exceeded (I’d already given it a good thrashing on my holiday).
When I told the bank representative where I was, he asked me to try to use my card at a nearby ATM to prove that I was, indeed, in Abu Dhabi.
The upshot is that I have a new Visa, with a different number, but it’s still showing Dh7,000 in transactions that I did not make. The bank tells me it will take between 40 and 120 days for the investigation to be completed, after which all charges, including interest, should be reversed.
Exactly what happened has not yet been determined. The best guess it that somebody – perhaps in Europe or here in the UAE – electronically “skimmed” my card, stealing the details, then passed them on to an accomplice in The Philippines.
I’m not sure what happens next. Hopefully, I get the money back and the authorities catch the bad guys – although the second part is less likely than the first.
Has anybody else had a similar experience? I’d be interested to know the outcome.
bdebritz@thenational.ae
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
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The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets