Fraudulent Websites
How can you recognize fraudulent websites (scam websites)?
When browsing the internet, you may have noticed that some websites appear less trustworthy than others. A number of news portals, such as the Consumer Advice Center Baden-Württemberg (01.07.2025), the Allgäuer Zeitung (11.06.2025), the Tagesschau (20.05.2025) and BR24 (12.04.2025), have reported on the dangers of scam websites and particularly warned about fraud when purchasing vignettes. We would like to give you tips on how to recognize fraudulent websites so that you do not fall into the trap of scammers and lose money.
Take a closer look at the website links (URLs)
As soon as you visit a previously unknown website advertising products for sale, you should check the URL. Make sure the link does not contain unusual characters or spelling mistakes.
Cheap does not automatically mean trustworthy
We all know it: when browsing the internet, we usually try to grab a bargain. However, cheap does not always mean trustworthy. The desire for a rock-bottom price is often exploited by scammers. Therefore, you should be especially cautious if a product is offered at a comparatively low price. There have already been several cases where people purchased an invalid vignette and ultimately had to pay a fine for not having a valid one.
Payment methods
You should also consider it a warning sign if advance payment only is requested as the sole payment method. Reputable shops usually offer a variety of payment methods, such as credit card payments and PayPal, which include buyer protection. Furthermore, you should never carelessly share personal data such as credit card numbers, passwords or TANs.
Legal notice (Imprint)
You should pay special attention to the legal notice and examine it carefully. A reputable website always provides a legal notice with contact details. This includes the name of the managing director, the company address, a telephone number or email address, as well as registration in the commercial register.
Verification of contact details
Better safe than sorry! If you are on a website that seems suspicious, you should not only read the legal notice but also verify the information provided. Use the stated address to check whether the company actually exists.
Trust seals
Reputable websites often use trusted seals to build confidence. However, fraudulent sites may also use this approach and display fake seals. Therefore, even if a website shows a seal, you should still check the other criteria. A seal alone does not automatically mean that a website is secure.
Ultimately: The overall impression
In addition to all these points, you should also consider the overall impression of the website. Are there spelling mistakes or even grammatically incorrect sentences in the articles or product information? Do the texts appear professional, or are sentences simply strung together?
Tip: Take action
If you come across a scam website during your online research and the above-mentioned points apply, do not hesitate to report the website to the consumer protection authorities. In doing so, you also protect unsuspecting individuals from fraud.
You can trust us!
Use our tips to protect yourself when making purchases online. Of course, you can also apply this checklist to our website and you will see that we are definitely a reputable provider. With us, you are on the safe side!
Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip from us now. Further information about tolls and the corresponding vignettes can be found in our guide. You can also use our route planner to plan your trip more efficiently and have the relevant toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist you. Contact us via 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 above-mentioned websites here:
- Consumer Advice Center Baden-Württemberg (01.07.2025)
- Allgäuer Zeitung (11.06.2025)
- Tagesschau (20.05.2025)
- BR24 (12.04.2025)
