How to report a scam in Saudi Arabia

Why it's hard to tell

Scam messages in Saudi Arabia often borrow the names of trusted bodies. They can claim to come from a bank, from the Saudi Central Bank, from Absher or from another government service, and they usually ask you to click, call or share a code.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has warned residents about suspicious calls and text messages from people who pretend to be SAMA or its employees to reach personal banking details. It says SAMA does not hold deposits or money for individuals, and it does not carry out financial operations for them. Any message claiming otherwise is a reason to stop.

Common tricks used

• A call or message that says you are owed money, or that your account must be updated through a phone number or link. SAMA describes both.
• A request to approve something in an app, or to share a verification code, while the caller stays on the phone. Our guide to the Nafath call shows how this looks.
• A link that imitates a government or bank page. Absher has warned people not to respond to any message or call claiming to facilitate a service, and not to share personal data with anyone over the phone.
• A sense of urgency that leaves little time to check.

How to verify, step by step

1. Do not respond. SAMA's advice is not to respond to suspicious messages in whatever form they come.
2. Protect your banking data. Do not give card numbers, passwords or codes to anyone who contacts you. Absher's warning says the same about personal data given over the phone.
3. Get information from official sources only. Open your bank's own app or ring the number printed on your card, rather than using a number or link in the message. For a government service, use the official website or app that you type or download yourself.
4. If money has moved or details were shared, call your bank at once. The SAMA consumer protection rules require banks and card issuers to offer a 24 hour toll-free number for reporting lost or stolen cards, fraud and unauthorised transactions. That number is on your card or your bank's website.
5. Ask about the complaint route. The same rules require a clear way to complain, with a reference number sent by text message, and they say that if you are not satisfied you may escalate to a higher level within the institution or to the competent authority.
6. Keep records. Take screenshots of the message, note the number and the time, and keep transaction details. These make your report easier to follow.
7. If you approved a request or gave a code, read what to do after you shared a code or gave someone access and tell your bank before doing anything else.

Things to watch

• Any caller who says the Central Bank has an account for you or is holding your money.
• A request to open an app and approve a request during a call.
• A link that asks for a login, a card number or a code.
• A caller who tells you not to hang up or not to contact your bank.

The aim is to turn every unexpected contact into a check you start yourself. For a wider look at how that works, see our guide to checking a government call. Always confirm the current reporting options with your bank and on official government sites, because services and numbers can change.