How can you recognize fraudulent websites (scam websites)?
When browsing the internet, you may have noticed that some websites appear less trustworthy than others. Already a 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 reported on the danger of scam websites and specifically pointed out the fraud involved in purchasing vignettes. We would like to give you tips on how to recognize fraudulent websites so that you don't fall into the scammers' trap and lose money.
Take a closer look at the website's links (URLs)
As soon as you visit a website you don't yet know that advertises products for sale, you should check the URL. Pay attention to whether the link contains any unusual characters or spelling mistakes.
Cheap doesn't mean trustworthy
Who doesn't know this? When we browse the internet, we usually try to grab a bargain. But cheap doesn't always mean trustworthy. Scammers often exploit the desire for a bargain price. That's why you should be especially cautious if the product is offered at a comparatively low price. There have already been several incidents where people purchased an invalid vignette and ultimately had to pay the fine for not having a valid vignette.
Payment methods
Likewise, you should view it as a warning sign if advance payment is the only accepted payment method. Reputable shops generally offer a variety of payment methods, such as credit card payment and PayPal, which include buyer protection. In addition, you should never carelessly give out personal data such as credit card numbers, passwords, or TANs.
Imprint
You should pay particular attention to the imprint and look at it more closely. A reputable site always has an imprint with contact details. This includes the name of the managing director, the company's address, a phone number or email, and the commercial register entry.
Verifying contact details
Caution is better than regret! If you're on a website that seems untrustworthy, you shouldn't just read the imprint, but also verify the details. Use the address provided to check whether the company actually exists.
Trustworthy seals
Reputable websites often use trustworthy seals to build trust. Untrustworthy sites also use this approach, but with fake seals. Therefore, even for websites that have a seal, you should still check the other criteria. A seal doesn't automatically mean a website is secure.
Finally: the overall impression
In addition to all these points, you should of course also let the overall impression of the website sink in. Do the articles or product information contain spelling mistakes or even grammatically incorrect sentences? Do the texts seem professional, or are the sentences just strung together?
Tip: Take action
If, during your online research, you come across a scam website and the points mentioned apply, don't hesitate to report the website to the consumer advice center. This way, you also protect unsuspecting people from fraud.
You can trust us!
Use our tips to protect yourself when making purchases online. Of course, you can also apply this check to us and you will see that we are definitely a trustworthy website. Feel free to visit Trustpilot to be sure of our trustworthiness, and let yourself be reassured by the positive reviews from other users. With us, you're on the safe side!
Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip with us now. You can find more information on tolls and the corresponding vignettes in our guide. You can also use our route planner to better plan your trip and have the relevant toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we're happy to help. Contact us via our email.
Here you will find the links to the news portals
If you would like to learn more about scam websites in order to better recognize their characteristics, you can find the websites mentioned above here:
Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01.07.2025)
Allgäuer Zeitung (11.06.2025)
Tagesschau (20.05.2025)
BR24 (12.04.2025)
Frequently asked questions about fraud warnings in Romania
All the important answers on how to recognize dubious vignette websites.
What are the signs of an untrustworthy vignette website for Romania?
Watch out for unusual characters or spelling mistakes in the URL, conspicuously low prices, and a missing or incomplete legal notice lacking a company name, address, and commercial register details.
Which payment method pattern indicates an untrustworthy vignette provider?
What can I do if I come across a suspicious website when buying a vignette for Romania?
About the author
Michelle Albrecht