How can you identify fraudulent websites (scam websites)?

When browsing the internet, it often becomes apparent that some websites appear more trustworthy than others. A large number of news portals, such as Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01/07/2025), Allgäuer Zeitung (11/06/2025), Tagesschau (20/05/2025) and BR24 (12/04/2025), have already reported on the dangers of scam websites and, in particular, pointed out fraud cases related to the purchase of vignettes. In the following, we would like to explain how you can identify fraudulent websites so that you do not fall for such offers and suffer financial losses.

Carefully check the website links (URLs)

As soon as you access a website that is unfamiliar to you and on which products are offered for sale, you should always check the URL. Pay particular attention to whether the link contains unusual characters or spelling mistakes. Such irregularities may be an indication of an untrustworthy or fake website.

Low prices do not necessarily mean reputable

Many users search for the lowest possible price when making online purchases. However, a particularly low price is not automatically a sign of trustworthiness. Fraudsters often deliberately exploit the desire for a bargain. You should therefore be especially cautious if a product is offered at a comparatively low price. There have already been several cases in which individuals purchased an invalid vignette and ultimately had to pay the fine for not having a valid vignette.

Methods of payment

The available payment methods can also be an important warning sign. Be particularly cautious if 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 share personal data such as credit card numbers, passwords or TANs carelessly.

Legal notice (imprint)

You should pay special attention to the legal notice (imprint). A reputable website always provides a complete imprint with contact details. This includes the name of the managing director, the company’s full address, a telephone number or email address and – where applicable – information on registration in the commercial register.

Verification of contact details

It is better to be safe than sorry. If a website appears dubious to you, you should not only read the imprint, but also verify the information provided wherever possible. For example, use the address given to check whether the company actually exists and whether the details can be confirmed by a quick search.

Trustworthy seals of approval

Reputable websites often use recognised trust seals to underline their reliability. However, fraudulent providers also use this approach and may display counterfeit seals. Therefore, if a website features one or more seals, you should always check the other criteria as well. The mere presence of a seal is not a guarantee that a website is safe.

Ultimately: The overall impression

In addition to the points mentioned above, you should always consider the overall impression of the website. Do the texts contain factual errors, conspicuous spelling mistakes or grammatically incorrect sentences? Do the contents appear structured and professional, or are sentences simply strung together without any apparent logic? A generally dubious impression should always make you cautious.

Tip: Take action

If, during your online research, you come across a scam website that shows several of the characteristics described above, do not hesitate to report the website to the consumer protection authority. In doing so, you help to protect other consumers from fraud.

You can rely on us

Use our recommendations to protect yourself as effectively as possible when shopping online. Of course, you can also apply these checks to our website and you will see that our offering is from a reputable provider. Feel free to visit Trustpilot to convince yourself of our trustworthiness and let the positive reviews from other users reassure you. With us, you are on the safe side.

Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip from us now. You can find further information about tolls and the associated vignettes in our guide. You can also use our route planner to organise your journey and display the required toll products. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you. Please contact us by email.

Here you can find links to the news portals

If you would like to obtain further information about scam websites and learn to recognise typical characteristics more easily, you will find the websites mentioned in the text 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!