Dubai – November 8, 2012: Payment gateways in the UAE are the safest option for consumers in order to avert fraud. This is the message from payment gateway cashU, a leading secure online payment solution. With the rise of online payment gateways in the Middle East the eCommerce landscape is changing leading to an exciting online era for consumers.

“Cards are being compromised. The majority of cards which are compromised are com-promised offline. At places like restaurants and hotels. Card details are copied and details stolen. This is why payment gateways mitigate the risk of phishing and card cloning. This is why we are encouraging consumers to turn to payment gateways as a reliable ave-nue,” said Martin Waldenstrom CEO, cashU.

A recent study revealed that 45% of credit card holders in the UAE prefer not to use their credit cards online fearing fraud. Payment gateways provide merchants with a unique safe payment solution that reaches millions of potential online buyers in the MENA re-gion. Waldenstrom said using credit cards online was far safer than using it anywhere else. Currently the UAE contributes to 15% of the total number of cashU users.

He added that in the next few years there would be new apps and technology that would take online safety to the next level and reassure consumers. “Near Field Communication (NFC) is the next step in online safety. Consumers would simply wave their mobiles over a laptop and make a payment. In the next few years there will be a huge shift towards this.”

Bahraini retail and commercial banking institution, BMI Bank announced the launch of a refreshed ’swipe to spin and win’ promotion on its range of credit cards including its Diners Club card.

The campaign, which runs from 1st March 2012 to 31st December 2012 (excluding 1st July to 21st August 2012 when the Bank will run an independent promotion), is open to existing as well as new customers and is applicable on all transactions made using the card including those that are made online, on ATMs and when customers use their cards when they travel out of Bahrain.

As part of the promotion, card holders will be automatically entered into a monthly draw. The draws, to be held at the Bank’s corporate offices at the Bahrain World Trade Center, will be supervised by the Bank’s internal auditors, the external auditors Ernst & Young and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Launching the latest promotion, Jamal Al-Hazeem, Chief Executive Officer of BMI Bank said, “Following our recent launch of bancassurance as well as a refreshed Ayadi scheme offering the biggest grand prizes during our three Eids, I am pleased to roll out our latest credit card ’swipe to spin and win’ promotion that rewards our customers when they swipe. An easy and direct usage promotion, the new campaign will automatically entitle all our current credit card holders including Diners Club to an opportunity to enter the monthly draw to win a chance to spin a wheel with exciting prizes. Given the overwhelming response our previous credit card campaign generated I am confident our current promotion will encourage our card holders to start using their cards to win.”

“At BMI Bank, we continually strive to provide our customers with exclusive, value-added and rewarding financial solutions and believe that the launch of this latest program is a step further along the path of strengthening our position as a strong retail bank in Bahrain,” he added.

In addition to the current promotion, the Bank also offers its credit card customers a range of value-added services including free real time SMS alerts every time they use their credit cards, Purchase Protection Insurance and Secured Wallet Insurance. BMI Bank currently offers a Classic and Gold credit card. The Bank’s La Carte credit card co-branded with Geant Hypermarket Bahrain, offers customers exclusive discounts, an installment option of up to 18 months and loyalty points when items are purchased from Geant hypermarket, Le Marche and Last Chance supermarkets in Bahrain.

BMI Bank also owns the Diners Club which currently offers customers a unique ‘Business World Gold Membership’ program in conjunction with Regus Group that provides them unlimited access to 1000 business lounges featuring high-speed internet, in 450 cities in the world. In addition customers also receive access to over 450 airports lounges, membership into the accolades rewards program enabling them to redeem points for air miles, gifts or cash back on all local purchases, free travel insurance (up to US 300,000 worth of cover) along with a low interest rate & APR.

L-R) Nilesh Ved, CEO, Apparel Group with Rajeev Kakar, CEO & Executive Director, Dunia

Abu Dhabi, September 6th , 2011 – Dunia Finance LLC, a leading Abu Dhabi based financial services company, which is unique in its approach and highly creative and innovative in its offerings, as it delivers a  truly unique customer centric business model in UAE offering customers a range of financial solutions, has partnered with Apparel Group, one of the leading global fashion and lifestyle brands conglomerates in the UAE, to launch a new range of co-branded credit cards that offers unparalleled value to customers who shop at  Apparel’s 290+ stores across the UAE.

With the new Club Apparel - Dunia Platinum and Titanium cards, consumers can enjoy value added benefits in the form of Club Apparel loyalty points that can be redeemed at any of the Apparel stores. Customers will earn up to 12% back on all spend at Apparel stores and incrementally they also earn 2% back as Club Apparel Loyalty Points for any other spend. Each Club Apparel loyalty point is equivalent to one Dirham of value. The Club Apparel – Dunia cards also offer customers state of the art innovation in m-commerce as they also enable customers to do “cardless” transactions in Apparel stores using their mobile.

Under its large brand portfolio of leading brands, Apparel’s franchises include international high street labels such as Aldo, Nine West, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Sketchers and Dune along with lifestyle brands such as Freedom Furniture and food outlets like Cold Stone Creamery.

With its unique customer-centric model and futuristic, state of the art and award winning platform, Dunia has earned its position as a complete financial solutions provider in the UAE market, for a multitude of consumer segments and financial needs.  This latest Club Apparel – dunia card adds to dunia’s impressive range of product offerings that include a full suite of Credit Cards (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver), a range of personal loans (marriage, education, durable good, etc.), used & new car loans, Coroporate deposits, Wages Protection System, non-funded facilities, like guarantees, for business needs.

Commenting on this latest initiative, Rajeev Kakar, Executive Director and CEO of Dunia Finance said: “We are delighted to partner with Apparel Group. The strategic alliance between Dunia and the Apparel Group sees two innovative brands that understand the importance of creating value for customers come together. Today’s world is about leveraging each other’s strengths to provide greater value to customer and that is exactly what we aim to do through this partnership.  This new co-brand credit card offers unparalleled value together with the ease of use, flexibility and speed to help keep our customers ahead.”

Nilesh Ved, CEO Apparel, added: “As part of our continued mission to reward our customers, this new initiative, in cooperation with dunia, will increase our customers’ rewards, ease their shopping experience and the redemption of their Club Apparel points. Our shared belief in technology as the future has forged this partnership to create a credit card that not only has higher rewards, but is cardless, with customers using their mobiles to access their account and shop.”

The credit card is available as an extension to dunia’s existing card portfolio which offers benefits and value in the areas of hospitality, sporting and health activities, travel, and fashion.

For more information on the card, visit www.dunia.ae/clubapparel or call 04-42 dunia (38642)

Sophos offers advice to Sony PlayStation Network users who could be affected

Dubai, UAE, April 27, 2011: Users of Sony’s PlayStation Network are at risk of identity theft after hackers broke into the system and accessed the personal data of videogame players.

The implications of the hack, which resulted in the service being offline since last week, are only now becoming clear as Sony has confirmed that the hackers, who broke into the system between April 17th and April 19th, were able to access the online gamers’ personal information.  According to computer security firm Sophos, users should take immediate action to ensure that their online identities are secure, and that fraudsters cannot take advantage of stolen credit card information.

“If you’re a user of Sony’s PlayStation Network, now isn’t the time to sit back on your sofa and do nothing.  The fraudsters won’t wait around - for them this is a treasure trove ripe for exploiting. You need to act now to minimise the chances that your identity and bank account become casualties following this hack,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.  “That means, changing your online passwords (especially if you use the same password on other sites), and considering whether it would be prudent to inform your bank that as far as you’re concerned your credit card is now compromised.”

Sony has warned that hackers have been able to access a variety of personal information belonging to users including:

    * Name
    * Address (city, state, zip code)
    * Country
    * Email address
    * Date of birth
    * PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login
    * Handle/PSN online ID

In addition, Sony warns that profile information - such as history of past purchases and billing addresses, as well as “secret answers” given to Sony for password security may also have been obtained.  Sony also admits that it cannot rule out the possibility that credit card information may also have been compromised.

“The fact that credit card details, used on the network to buy games, movies and music, may also have been stolen is very disturbing,” continued Cluley.  “If Sony loses your credit card information, it’s no different from you losing your credit card - you should cancel that card immediately.  Questions clearly have to be asked as to whether Sony was ignorant of PCI data security standards and storing this and other personal data in an unencrypted format.  All in all, this is a PR and security disaster for Sony.”

For more information, please visit the Sophos Naked Security site at: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/04/26/playstation-network-hacked-personal-information-of-up-to-70-million-people-stolen/

Graham Cluley is available for comment at +44 (0)1235 544114 or +44 (0)7990 552181

Follow Graham Cluley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gcluley

• Offers cardholders up to 15 %  discount on dining at top hotels in addition to 5% Cash Back
• New promotion in response to strong customer take up of all new cards

Dining Promotion - Main Visual

Doha, January 25, 2009: Further highlighting its commitment to optimise value proposition for its cardholders, IBQ announced the launch of its second promotion under the merchant partner programme, offering up to 15 per cent discount on dining at a range of top hotels within the country. The discount promotion, titled “Perfect Recipe,” is available to all Platinum and Infinite credit cardholders of IBQ and is in effect from January 15 until February 28, 2010.

This exclusive promotion is in addition to the 5% Cash Back on all purchases currently offered by IBQ to its card members. The “Perfect Recipe” offer is valid on dining transactions at a wide range of premium restaurants located in Qatar’s leading luxury hotels. The hotels currently offering this unique promotional discount include Four Seasons Hotel, The Ritz Carlton, W Doha, Sheraton, The Intercontinental, and The Sharq Village Resort and Spa, all based in Doha.

“At IBQ, we believe that the key to our continued success lies in constantly exploring new ways to enhance our cardholder experience,” said Philip King, AGM of Retail Banking, IBQ. “We look to do this by forging new partnerships and offering more valuable discounts to our customers, on an ongoing basis. ‘Perfect Recipe,’ our second card-linked promotion in less than two months, has been developed in line with our pledge to make high-quality products and services more accessible to our customers.”

Driven by its continuing focus on serving diverse customer needs, IBQ’s credit card range, including IBQ Gold MasterCard, IBQ Platinum Visa and IBQ Infinite Visa, has continued to meet with a strong response.

“As a retail bank of choice within Qatar, it is our goal to be able to make a positive difference to the lifestyle aspirations of our customers. We are highly encouraged by the robust growth in our customer base and the continuing strong customer response to our full range of credit cards. In this regard, I am also delighted to note that the next 12 months will see a host of exciting rewards and promotions being offered by IBQ,” said King.