As Eid Al Adha approaches, Dubai Police has issued a fresh warning to residents about a growing wave of online scams involving fake sacrificial animal sales.

Authorities say fraudsters are exploiting the festive season by posting deceptive advertisements on social media platforms and unverified websites, offering sacrificial animals at unusually low prices to lure unsuspecting buyers.

How the scam works

According to Dubai Police, scammers typically:

• Post fake advertisements using stolen or fabricated images
• Offer special deals and unrealistically low prices
• Ask buyers to make advance payments to reserve or deliver the animal

Once the money is transferred, the fraudsters disappear, leaving victims without the animal or any way to recover their funds.

Police urge residents to stay alert

Officials warned residents not to be misled by:

• Prices that seem too good to be true
• Exaggerated promotional offers
• Unknown social media sellers

Instead, the public is being advised to:

• Deal only with accredited and trusted sellers
• Use official platforms and verified suppliers
• Avoid transferring money to unverified accounts

How to report fraud

Dubai Police also urged residents to immediately report suspicious accounts or scam attempts through:

• The official eCrime platform
• The non-emergency hotline 901

Authorities stressed that community awareness and cooperation remain key to preventing cyber fraud during the Eid season.

With online scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, Dubai Police are reminding residents of one simple rule this Eid: If an offer looks unrealistically cheap, think twice before paying.

The rental process in the UAE is getting a major digital upgrade, with tenant credit checks slowly becoming part of the leasing journey.

For many residents who have rented abroad, sharing a credit score may already feel familiar. But in the UAE, the concept is still new, and importantly, fully based on tenant consent.

How the new system works

The new Tenant Screening solution, launched by Etihad Credit Bureau in collaboration with UAE PASS, allows landlords to request access to a prospective tenant’s credit score.

Here’s the key detail:

• Tenants receive a request through UAE PASS
• They can approve or reject access themselves
• No credit information is shared without consent

The goal is to create a more transparent and efficient rental process while keeping financial data secure.

Why landlords want it

For landlords, the system offers verified financial insights that may help assess payment reliability, especially for:

• Luxury properties
• High-value rentals
• Multiple post-dated cheque agreements

The credit check is designed to complement existing requirements, such as:

• Salary certificates
• Emirates ID
• Visa verification

How to check your UAE credit score

1. Visit the official AECB platform or download the app
2. Log in using UAE PASS or register with:
   • Emirates ID
   • Mobile number
   • Email address
3. Verify your identity using the OTP sent to your phone
4. Select Credit Score Report
5. Pay:
   • Dh10.50 for the score only
   • Dh84 for the full credit report (including VAT)
6. Receive your score instantly in PDF format

Strong credit profile benefits

While some renters may initially see it as another step, supporters say the system could actually make approvals faster and smoother.

In competitive rental markets such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a strong credit profile could help tenants stand out and reassure landlords during the application process.

Officials say UAE PASS plays a critical role by acting as the secure gateway for all approvals, ensuring users remain in control of their personal financial information.

The system is currently optional, but experts believe tenant screening could become increasingly common as the UAE rental market continues to modernise.

Parking around schools in Dubai could soon become far less stressful after the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) signed a major new partnership with Parkin Company PJSC to simplify parking subscriptions across the emirate.

The new collaboration introduces a digitally integrated system designed to make parking applications faster, smoother, and more convenient for students, teachers, and educational staff.

Goodbye paperwork, hello instant verification

Until now, applicants had to rely on:

• Manual approvals from schools
• Document submissions
• Eligibility checks handled separately

Under the new system, KHDA and Parkin will integrate their platforms to allow real-time eligibility verification, dramatically reducing administrative steps while maintaining strict data privacy standards.

Parking discounts of up to 80%

The initiative also includes heavily discounted parking packages for educational institutions and students:

• Dh100 per month
• Dh1,000 annually

According to Parkin, this represents savings of up to 80% compared to standard parking subscriptions.

Support beyond just parking

The company said the partnership also strengthens support around schools during:

• Peak pick-up and drop-off times
• School events
• High-traffic periods

For parents, teachers, and students navigating Dubai’s busy school zones, the latest move could mean one thing: less paperwork, smoother parking, and fewer daily headaches.