Risk: Elevated

Phishing Emails: How to Recognize Them and What to Watch Out For

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 was included because it is based on a report from Verbraucherzentrale – Phishing-Radar. It is intended to protect other users from this scam. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

Criminals design emails so that they look confusingly similar to legitimate senders such as banks, ministries, or well-known companies
The email is sent out in bulk to many recipients at the same time
Dangerous links in the text lure recipients to fake websites
Malicious software can be installed on the device through attachments
On the fake pages or via reply, login data such as passwords, PINs, or personal data is requested
The stolen data is used to hack accounts, misuse identities, or steal money

How to recognise it

Emails look deceptively real and imitate well-known senders (e.g., banks, telecommunications providers, authorities)
The email contains unexpected links that urge the recipient to click
The email contains unexpected attachments that are meant to be opened
Recipients are asked for access data, passwords, or personal data
Threats or time pressure are used (e.g., 'Account will be blocked')
The sender address differs from the purported sender upon closer inspection
Generic greeting and time pressure
Link to an external login page

How to protect yourself

Do not click on links in suspicious emails and do not open any attachments
Check the sender carefully (email address, not just the displayed name)
Never enter login data, passwords, or personal data via a link from an email
Report suspicious phishing emails to the Phishing-Radar of the Verbraucherzentrale or to your email provider
Change affected passwords immediately and inform your bank if data has been disclosed
If in doubt, contact the Verbraucherzentrale or the police

What you should never do

Do not click on links in suspicious emails
Do not open attachments from unknown or unexpected emails
Do not disclose access data, passwords, or personal data if requested by email
Do not panic and do not react hastily, even if the email threatens or pressures you

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether an email is phishing?

Look out for unexpected emails, unknown senders, requests to click on links or open attachments, threats or time pressure, as well as unusual sender addresses. When in doubt, it is better not to click and to check directly with the alleged sender via their official website.

I accidentally clicked on a link or entered my data – what now?

Change all affected passwords immediately. Inform your bank if account details are affected. Preserve evidence (screenshot of the email) and report the incident to the Verbraucherzentrale or the police.

How did the criminals get my email address?

Addresses often come from data leaks, hacker attacks on online services, stolen address databases, or are generated at random. This does not mean that your device itself has been hacked.

Do I need to reply to a phishing email or pay anything?

No. Do not reply, do not pay anything, and delete the email after preserving evidence. Legitimate companies or authorities never request payments or sensitive data by email.

Where can I report suspicious emails?

You can report phishing emails to the Phishing-Radar of the Verbraucherzentrale as well as to your email provider. The police also accept criminal complaints.

Affected data

Scam type

Phishing

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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