Common scams in Germany

How it works

Callers claim to be police or prosecutors investigating financial crime involving your account. They instruct you to withdraw cash, buy gold or gift cards, or transfer funds to protect your money.

Warning signs

• Unsolicited calls about criminal investigations tied to your bank account.
• Orders to keep the call secret from family or bank staff.
• Requests to courier cash, buy vouchers, or transfer to a “safe account.”
• Callers who stay on the line while you visit a bank or ATM.

What to do

• ✓Hang up immediately.
• ✓Contact your local police station using the official emergency or non-emergency number.
• ✓Do not withdraw or transfer money based on the call.
• ✓Inform your bank if any details were shared.

How it works

Scammers call elderly relatives pretending to be a grandchild or lawyer in an emergency—an accident, arrest, or urgent bill—and ask for money right away, often with a helper on the line.

Warning signs

• A relative supposedly calling from an unknown number in distress.
• Urgent requests for cash, transfers, or gift cards.
• Instructions not to tell other family members.
• A “lawyer” or “official” added to reinforce urgency.

What to do

• ✓Hang up and call the relative on a known number.
• ✓Do not send money until identity is verified in person or by video.
• ✓Warn family members about the tactic.
• ✓Report the call to police.

How it works

Phishing emails and smishing texts mimic German banks and payment services. Fake pages capture login data or trick users into confirming fraudulent SEPA transfers in online banking.

Warning signs

• Security alerts with links to log in.
• Tan, push-TAN, or photo-TAN requests you did not initiate.
• Spelling errors or sender addresses that do not match your bank.
• Pressure to approve a pending transfer immediately.

What to do

• ✓Open online banking only via the official app or typed URL.
• ✓Reject payment approvals you do not recognize.
• ✓Call your bank using the number on your card.
• ✓Forward phishing to your bank and report at watchlist-internet.de.

How it works

Fraudulent e-commerce sites advertise electronics, fashion, or tools at steep discounts. After payment, orders vanish or low-quality goods arrive from an untraceable seller.

Warning signs

• Prices far below established German retailers.
• Missing Impressum details or fake company information.
• Only prepayment by bank transfer or crypto.
• Copied trust badges and no reliable customer service.

What to do

• ✓Run the domain through Fraudly before checkout.
• ✓Prefer shops with clear Widerruf rights and trusted payment options.
• ✓Search the shop name with “Betrug” or “Erfahrungen.”
• ✓Charge back or dispute with your bank if possible.

How it works

SMS or email pretends to be DHL, Hermes, or Deutsche Post and claims a fee or address confirmation is needed. Links lead to phishing pages that steal card or account data.

Warning signs

• Delivery messages when no shipment is expected.
• Links to domains that are not dhl.de, deutschepost.de, or hermes.de.
• Requests for full payment card details on a generic page.
• Tiny customs or handling fees as a hook.

What to do

• ✓Track parcels only through official carrier portals.
• ✓Do not enter payment data via SMS links.
• ✓Verify suspicious shop links with Fraudly.
• ✓Report phishing to watchlist-internet.de.