The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) says UAE mobile users can send an SMS to 7726 to block unwanted senders:
- To block future messages from one sender, send
B <sender>to7726. Replace<sender>with the sender’s number or name shown in the message. - To block marketing messages that begin with
AD-, sendBallto7726.
These commands are for TDRA’s SMS-spam initiative. They do not prove that a message is fraudulent, recover money, verify a sender, or replace a bank, police, or cybercrime report. TDRA’s consumer page was last updated 23 July 2026; check the current TDRA page or your licensed provider if a command is rejected.
TDRA’s two 7726 commands
Use the sender exactly as it appears in the SMS. Do not add your bank card, Emirates ID, UAE Pass details, or any other personal information to the command.
| Goal | Text to send to 7726 | What TDRA says it does | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block one sender | B <sender> | Blocks future messages from that sender number or name | It is a sender block, not a confirmation that the message was a scam. A different number or sender ID can still reach you. |
Block AD- marketing messages | Ball | Licensed companies automatically block marketing messages that begin with AD- | It does not block every unknown, transactional, or fraudulent SMS. |
TDRA’s FAQ says subscribers cannot block every sender or sector, and that promotional messages should be sent only after explicit consent. It also directs customers with continuing unsolicited marketing messages to complain to their licensed telecommunications provider.
There is one wording conflict across TDRA’s own pages. The consumer page updated on 23 July 2026 says to send B followed by the sender. The broader FAQ currently shows <AD-sender ID> B for blocking one promotional sender. Start with the newer consumer-page format shown above. If your provider rejects it, check the current provider instructions or contact customer care rather than adding personal information or repeatedly replying to the unwanted message.
What 7726 does and does not do
7726 is useful for reducing unwanted marketing SMS at the telecom level. It is not an emergency number, a bank-fraud recovery service, or a way to authenticate a government, bank, courier, or UAE Pass message.
If the SMS asks for an OTP, card details, a payment, a UAE Pass approval, an Emirates ID copy, or a login, do not click, reply, or call the number in the message. Save the evidence, open the official app or website yourself, and use the reporting route for the service or emirate involved.
What to save before deleting
Save:
- Screenshot of the message.
- Sender number or name.
- Link or domain.
- Time and date.
- Payment receipt if you paid.
- Bank transaction reference.
- Any email headers if it came by email.
Choose the safe next step
A genuine-looking marketing SMS from a known sender
If the message is an unwanted promotion and its sender is displayed as AD-Brand, you can try the TDRA command B AD-Brand to block that sender. To block marketing messages beginning with AD- from licensed companies, send Ball to 7726. Keep a copy of the message first if you may need to complain.
A message that looks like a scam
Do not test the link or reply to the sender. A fake bank, courier, visa, Emirates ID, or government message may use a familiar logo and still be dangerous. Contact the bank or service through an app or website you opened yourself, and report suspected cybercrime through the official UAE route for your emirate. Use B <sender> only as an additional spam-blocking step; it does not investigate the fraud.
Where to start
Reporting can depend on the emirate and the type of scam.
| Situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Money left your bank account | Your bank immediately |
| Dubai cybercrime or online fraud | Dubai Police eCrime or Dubai Police app/website |
| Abu Dhabi security information or a confidential tip | Abu Dhabi Police Aman |
| A formal criminal report in Abu Dhabi | Ministry of Interior app or the nearest police station |
| General economic crime, scam, or cybercrime | Local police; see the UAE government reporting overview |
| Delivery, visa, Emirates ID, or fine email | Official service portal plus police reporting if fraudulent |
If it was a bank OTP or app approval scam
Call the bank immediately. Say:
"I shared an OTP or approved something after a suspicious message."
Ask the bank to review transfers, cards, devices, and login activity.
Then report the message.
If it was UAE Pass or Emirates ID
Treat it as serious. UAE Pass and Emirates ID can be used in real services, which is exactly why scammers copy that language.
Open the official app yourself. Do not use the message link.
FAQ
How do I block a sender with TDRA?
Send an SMS containing B followed by the sender’s number or name to 7726, for example B AD-Brand. TDRA says future messages from that sender will be blocked. Keep the sender text exactly as shown and check the current TDRA instructions if your provider does not accept it.
What does Ball do in the UAE?
Send Ball to 7726 to block marketing messages that begin with AD-. TDRA says this applies to messages from licensed companies. It is not a universal blocker for scam, transactional, or ordinary messages.
Is 7726 a fraud-reporting hotline?
The TDRA commands are a telecom spam-blocking tool. They do not confirm that a message is fraudulent, freeze a bank account, investigate a crime, or recover a payment. If money or identity information is at risk, contact the bank or service and use the UAE cybercrime reporting route as well.
Should I report first or call the bank first?
If money moved, call the bank first. Reporting matters, but the bank is the faster path for freezing cards, reviewing transfers, and securing the account.
Should I delete the scam message?
Save a screenshot, sender, link, date, time, and payment reference first. Then you can delete or block it.
Can I report a suspicious message even if I did not lose money?
Yes. Save the evidence and use the reporting path that matches your emirate or the service being impersonated.
Can I block every sender or sector with 7726?
No. TDRA’s FAQ says subscribers cannot block every type of sender or sector. The Ball command is specifically for marketing messages beginning with AD-, and the single-sender command only affects the sender you specify.
Read next
- /ae/blog/fake-bank-sms-uae-otp/
- /ae/blog/emirates-post-delivery-fee-scam/
- /ae/blog/uae-pass-emirates-id-scam/
Sources
- TDRA, SMS Spam guidance, last updated 23 July 2026.
- TDRA, SMS Spam FAQs, including sender and sector limits, consent, and telecom-provider complaints.
- UAE government portal, reporting economic crimes and cyber-enabled scams, updated 6 May 2026.
- Dubai Police, service catalogue with Reporting E-crime.
- Abu Dhabi Police, Aman service FAQs, including the distinction between confidential security information and a formal criminal report.