Beware of scammers!

How Can You Identify Fraudulent Websites (Scam Websites)?

When browsing the internet, you may have already noticed that some websites appear far less trustworthy than others. A large number of reputable news outlets, including the Consumer Advice Centre Baden-Württemberg (01 July 2025), the Allgäuer Zeitung (11 June 2025), Tagesschau (20 May 2025), and BR24 (12 April 2025), have reported on the dangers of scam websites and have specifically warned about fraud related to the purchase of vignettes. Below you will find guidance on how to recognise fraudulent websites in order to avoid falling victim to scams and financial loss.

Carefully Check the Website URL

If you visit a website that is unfamiliar to you and offers products or services for purchase, you should first carefully examine the URL. Pay close attention to unusual characters, additional words, or spelling mistakes in the web address.

Low Prices Do Not Always Mean Trustworthy

Bargain prices can be tempting, but they are often deliberately used by fraudsters. You should therefore be particularly cautious if a product is offered at a significantly lower price than by comparable providers. There have been several cases in which consumers purchased invalid vignettes and subsequently had to pay fines for not having a valid vignette.

Payment Methods

Another warning sign is when advance payment is the only payment method offered. Reputable online shops usually provide several payment options, such as credit card or PayPal, which include buyer protection. In addition, you should never disclose sensitive personal information such as credit card details, passwords, or TANs without careful consideration.

Legal Notice (Imprint)

Special attention should be paid to the legal notice or imprint. A trustworthy website will always provide a complete imprint with clear contact details. This typically includes the name of the responsible person or managing director, the company address, an email address or telephone number, and, where applicable, a commercial register entry.

Verify Contact Details

It is better to be cautious than careless. If a website appears suspicious, you should not only read the imprint but also verify the information provided. For example, check whether the company actually exists at the stated address.

Trust Seals

Many reputable websites use recognised trust seals to increase credibility. However, fraudulent websites often display fake seals. For this reason, you should always check all other criteria as well, as a seal alone does not guarantee a secure or legitimate website.

The Overall Impression

In addition to all these factors, the overall impression of a website should also be considered. Are there numerous spelling mistakes or poorly written, ungrammatical sentences? Do the texts appear professional, or do they seem hastily put together? Such aspects can provide important clues.

Tip: Take Action

If you come across a suspected scam website during your research and the above criteria apply, do not hesitate to report the website to a consumer protection authority. By doing so, you help protect other users from becoming victims of fraud.

You Can Trust Us

Use the above guidelines to protect yourself when making purchases online. Of course, you are welcome to apply these criteria to our website as well and see for yourself that we are a reputable provider. Visit Trustpilot to confirm our credibility through the positive reviews of other customers.

Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip conveniently online. Further information about tolls and the corresponding vignettes can be found in our guide. You can also use our route planner to better organise your journey and view the applicable toll products. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time via email.

Links to the Referenced News Portals

If you would like to learn more about scam websites and how to recognise them, you can find the referenced articles below:

Michelle Albrecht
Hallo, ich bin Michelle und schreibe für mein Leben gern. Als Texterin habe ich meine Leidenschaft zum Beruf gemacht! Natürlich lasse ich meiner Kreativität auch in meinen eigenen Büchern freien Lauf. Seit ich ein halbes Jahr in Australien gelebt habe, ist meine Reiselust noch größer geworden (und ich hätte nie gedacht, dass das noch möglich ist). Umso mehr freue ich mich, meinen Leserinnen und Lesern Tipps für ihre zukünftigen Abenteuer zu geben!