How to Recognize Fraudulent Websites (Scam Websites)
When browsing the internet, you may have noticed that some websites appear less trustworthy than others. Numerous news outlets such as Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01 July 2025), Allgäuer Zeitung (11 June 2025), Tagesschau (20 May 2025) and BR24 (12 April 2025) have reported on the dangers of fraudulent websites, particularly scams involving the purchase of vignettes. Below, we provide guidance on how to identify scam websites to help you avoid financial losses.
Examine the Website’s Links (URLs) Carefully
Whenever you visit an unfamiliar website offering products for sale, make sure to closely inspect the URL. Look out for unusual characters or spelling errors in the link, as these may indicate a fraudulent site.
Cheap Does Not Always Mean Trustworthy
Many online shoppers are looking for the best deal. However, a low price is not always a sign of legitimacy. Fraudsters often exploit the desire for bargains. Be especially cautious if a product is offered at an unusually low price. There have been numerous cases of individuals purchasing invalid vignettes and later being fined for driving without a valid one.
Payment Methods
A red flag is when a website only accepts advance payment (prepayment). Reputable online stores usually offer various payment options, such as credit card or PayPal, both of which provide buyer protection. Never share personal data such as credit card numbers, passwords, or TAN codes carelessly.
Check the Legal Notice (Imprint)
Pay particular attention to the imprint section of a website. A trustworthy business will always provide full contact details — including the managing director’s name, company address, phone number, email address, and ideally a commercial register entry.
Verify the Contact Information
If a website seems suspicious, it is advisable to verify the listed contact details. Use online search tools or company directories to confirm whether the company actually exists at the stated address.
Trust Seals
Legitimate websites often display trust seals to convey reliability. However, scammers also use this tactic and may display counterfeit seals. Therefore, even if a website shows a trust seal, you should still check the other credibility indicators. A seal alone does not guarantee security.
Overall Impression
In addition to the criteria mentioned above, consider the overall impression a website leaves. Does the content contain spelling or grammatical errors? Do the texts appear professionally written, or are they poorly composed and inconsistent? A low-quality presentation can be a sign of a fraudulent site.
Tip: Take Action
If you come across a suspicious website during your online search that exhibits the warning signs described, do not hesitate to report it to the consumer protection agency. Doing so helps protect other users from becoming victims of scams.
You Can Trust Us!
Follow our advice to make your online purchases more secure. You can, of course, apply these same checks to our website — you will see that we are a reliable and trustworthy service provider. Visit Trustpilot to read reviews from other satisfied customers and confirm our credibility. With us, your transactions are in safe hands.
Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip directly through us. You can find more information about tolls and related vignettes in our online guide. You can also use our route planner to plan your trip and view available toll products. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by email.
Links to the Mentioned News Sources
If you would like to learn more about fraudulent websites and how to recognize them, you can visit the sources mentioned in this article below:
- Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01 July 2025)
- Allgäuer Zeitung (11 June 2025)
- Tagesschau (20 May 2025)
- BR24 (12 April 2025)
