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Risk: Elevated

Phishing Radar: Current Warnings

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 type of fraud. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

  • Criminals contact consumers by email, SMS, letter, phone call, QR code, or fake website.
  • They pose as trustworthy institutions, such as banks, authorities, Telekom, AOK, Amazon, or PayPal.
  • They create pressure to act through threats, time pressure, or tempting offers – for example, allegedly outstanding payments, blocked accounts, or compromising recordings.
  • They lure victims to fake websites or use overlaid QR codes to obtain data or money.
  • In extortion cases, they demand payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
  • In ransomware attacks, the device is locked and a ransom is demanded.
  • According to Verbraucherzentrale, stolen personal data usually comes from hacks or address databases.

How to recognise it

  • Unexpected QR codes in letters, at charging stations, on parking meters, in buses and trains, or on alleged parking tickets
  • Messages allegedly from ministries, authorities, AOK, or Telekom that urge quick action
  • Alleged dunning letters from various law firms regarding service contracts that were never concluded
  • Extortion emails containing personal data that claim to have hacked the camera and made intimate recordings
  • Shock calls in the name of Amazon or PayPal regarding allegedly large transfers
  • Sudden locking of the device with a ransom demand (ransomware)
  • Emails with dangerous links or attachments that aim to obtain login credentials or personal information
  • Impersonal greeting and time pressure

How to protect yourself

  • Do not scan QR codes from unexpected or dubious sources – such as on parking tickets, in unknown letters, or on public devices that may have been overlaid.
  • Check the sender of emails via the email header if the sender seems unfamiliar.
  • Do not click on links in suspicious emails and do not open unknown attachments.
  • Do not pay unjustified demands without verification and consult the Verbraucherzentrale.
  • Preserve evidence (screenshots, emails, letters) and file a report with the police.
  • Protect online accounts in advance, for example through strong passwords and up-to-date security software.

What you should never do

  • Do not pay any ransom or demanded amounts in cryptocurrencies if you are being extorted.
  • Do not respond to threatening emails and do not reply to them.
  • Do not scan QR codes from unexpected sources or unknown posters.
  • Do not enter login credentials, personal information, or payment details on linked pages.
  • Do not transfer money to unknown accounts just because an email or letter requests it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I recognize whether an email is genuine?

Check the email header to determine the actual sender. Do not click on links directly; instead, manually navigate to the official website of the relevant institution in your browser. If in doubt, you can contact the Verbraucherzentrale.

Do I have to pay a dunning letter if I have not concluded a contract?

No. The Verbraucherzentralen explicitly warn against unjustified demands. Check carefully whether a contract actually exists, and do not pay without verification if in doubt. Seek advice from the Verbraucherzentrale.

I scanned a suspicious QR code – what now?

Do not enter any data and abort the process. Preserve evidence and file a report with the police. Monitor your accounts and access credentials and change passwords if in doubt.

Where did the fraudsters get my data?

According to Verbraucherzentrale, personal data used in extortion emails usually comes from hacks or purchased address databases. This does not mean that the device has actually been hacked.

My device is locked – should I pay the ransom?

Experts generally advise against this. Instead, you should disconnect the device from the network, file a report with the police, and contact specialized agencies. A payment does not guarantee that your data will be released.

Affected data

Scam type
Phishing

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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