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Risk: Elevated

New Health Card: Fraud attempts with phishing emails

Category: Phishing · Published: 13/07/2026 · Last updated: 22/07/2026

Summary

What is this about? Current warning from Verbraucherzentrale – Phishing-Radar. See linked source for details.
Who is affected? Consumers in Germany.
How high is the risk? Elevated

Why is this warning issued?

This warning has been included because it is based on a report from Verbraucherzentrale – Phishing-Radar. It is intended to protect other users from this fraud scheme. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

  • Criminals send fake emails in the name of AOK
  • Recipients are asked to apply for a new health card
  • The pretext is the false claim that the old card no longer covers any costs
  • A link in the email leads to a fake website
  • Personal data is to be entered there
  • Using the obtained data, the criminals continue to defraud those affected

How to recognise it

  • Email allegedly from AOK that arrives unexpectedly
  • Request to apply for a new health card
  • Claim that the old health card no longer covers any costs
  • Pressure and urgency in the message
  • Request to enter personal data or click links
  • Links lead to fake websites
  • Impersonal salutation and time pressure
  • Link to an external login page

How to protect yourself

  • Check the sender of the email carefully (email header)
  • Do not click any links in suspicious emails
  • Do not open attachments of unknown emails
  • If in doubt, contact your health insurance company directly – via the official phone number or website
  • Report suspicious emails to the Verbraucherzentrale or your health insurance company
  • Delete the suspicious email

What you should never do

  • Do not click links in the suspicious email
  • Do not enter any personal data on linked pages
  • Do not respond to demands without verification
  • Do not open attachments of the suspicious email

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to apply for a new health card?

No. According to Verbraucherzentrale NRW, the claim in the emails is a lie. If in doubt, contact your health insurance company directly.

How can I tell if the email is genuine?

Check the sender carefully and call your health insurance company via the official phone number or website. Do not click any links from the email.

I have already entered data – what now?

Change affected passwords immediately, monitor your account activity, and inform your health insurance company. If necessary, you can contact the Verbraucherzentrale or the police.

Where did the fraudsters get my data?

This is often unclear in individual cases. Address data frequently comes from data leaks, hacks, or purchased address databases.

Where can I report the phishing email?

You can report suspicious emails to the Verbraucherzentrale or to your health insurance company. The police also accept reports.

Affected data

Scam type

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Related warnings

Original source

Find more information in the original source.

Verbraucherzentrale – Phishing-Radar ↗

Update history

  • 22/07/2026Description updated
  • 13/07/2026Warning added from an official source