How online shoppers can file a complaint

Dubai: When online purchases go wrong, consumers in the UAE can reach out to the Department of Economic Development (DED).

Gulf News talked to Mohammad Rashed Lootah, CEO of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector at DED in Dubai, about the process of reporting a complaint.

“If the online company is based in Dubai, the consumer can call the Ahlan Dubai number and file a complaint with the consumer protection team of the (CCCP) sector in DED,” he said.

Lootah explained that while Dubai is a global business hub, the number of online and offline retail stores are growing along with the number of online shoppers.

In order to protect consumer rights, the DED’s consumer protection team is keeping in line with the UAE Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on consumer protection by managing different types of complaints whether to do with online goods or goods sold at stores, Lootah said.

“DED consumer protection team has a mechanism to deal with both online and offline complaints, which emphasises on working with the consumer and the trader for an amicable settlement of the dispute,” he said.

The Ahlan Dubai number available to consumers is 600 54 5555.