Why UAE shoppers are hit
UAE residents are among the world’s most connected spenders, with over 60% of daily purchases made digitally, according to UAE Central Bank data. From Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to buy-now-pay-later apps and online shopping platforms, many of these services rely on global cloud networks like AWS to process real-time payments.
Even a brief system slowdown can cause double charges, stuck payments, or missing confirmations, especially if users retry a transaction without verifying the status of the first attempt.
What to do if you’re affected
Financial experts and consumer advocates recommend three immediate steps for UAE residents:
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Check your transaction history — Look for any duplicated or pending payments in your bank app or card statement.
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Avoid retrying failed payments — Wait a few hours and confirm with the merchant before attempting again.
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Contact the merchant first — If a payment issue occurs, try resolving it directly before filing a dispute with your bank.
Eaton emphasised that early action can prevent unnecessary stress. “Delayed panic turns into formal disputes,” she said. “Customer silence is not safety.”
As UAE consumers continue embracing digital payments and cashless transactions, the incident serves as a reminder that even short-lived global outages can ripple across local wallets.
In an increasingly digital economy, staying alert after outages is the best protection — not just for your balance, but for your peace of mind.
Justin is a personal finance author and seasoned business journalist with over a decade of experience. He makes it his mission to break down complex financial topics and make them clear, relatable, and relevant—helping everyday readers navigate today’s economy with confidence.
Before returning to his Middle Eastern roots, where he was born and raised, Justin worked as a Business Correspondent at Reuters, reporting on equities and economic trends across both the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.