Beware of scammers!
How can you recognize fraudulent websites (scam websites)?
While browsing the internet, you may have already noticed that some websites seem noticeably less trustworthy than others. A number of renowned news portals such as Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01.07.2025), Allgäuer Zeitung (11.06.2025), Tagesschau (20.05.2025) as well as BR24 (12.04.2025) have already reported on the dangers of scam websites and specifically warned about fraud when purchasing vignettes. Below you will find tips on how to recognize fraudulent websites in order to avoid financial losses.
Check the website's links (URLs) carefully
If you visit a website you don't yet know that offers products or services, you should first carefully check the URL. Pay particular attention to unusual characters, additional words, or spelling errors in the web address.
Cheap doesn't automatically mean legitimate
Attractive prices are tempting, but they are often used deliberately by scammers. Therefore, be especially careful if a product is offered significantly cheaper than by other providers. In the past, there have been several cases where travelers purchased invalid vignettes and subsequently had to pay fines.
Scrutinize payment methods
Another warning sign is when only payment in advance is offered as a payment method. Legitimate online shops usually provide several payment options, such as credit card or PayPal, which include buyer protection. Also, never carelessly share sensitive data such as credit card numbers, passwords, or TANs.
Check the legal notice (imprint)
A legitimate website always has a complete legal notice with clear contact details. This includes, among other things, the name of the person responsible, the company address, an email address or phone number, and, if applicable, a commercial register entry.
Verify contact details
If in doubt, it's advisable to verify the information provided in the legal notice. For example, check whether the company actually exists based on the address given. This is often a quick way to expose disreputable providers.
Interpreting trust seals correctly
Many legitimate websites use well-known trust seals. However, fraudulent sites also use fake seals. Therefore, always check the other criteria as well, since a seal alone is no guarantee of legitimacy.
The overall impression of the website
In addition to the points mentioned, the general impression also plays an important role. If there are frequent spelling errors, unclear wording, or unprofessional-looking text, caution is advised. Legitimate providers usually place great importance on linguistic and content quality.
Tip: Take action
If you come across a suspected scam website during your research, you should report it to the consumer advice center. This way, you help protect other users from fraud.
You can trust us
Use the tips mentioned above to make your online purchases safely. Of course, you can also apply these criteria to our offer and see for yourself how trustworthy we are. Feel free to visit Trustpilot and get an impression of our trustworthiness based on other customers' reviews.
Purchase your digital vignette for your next trip conveniently online. For more information on tolls and the corresponding vignettes, see our guide. In addition, our route planner can help you plan your trip optimally. If you have any questions, we're of course happy to help. Feel free to contact us anytime by email.
Links to further news portals
If you'd like to learn more about scam websites, here is an overview of the reports mentioned:
Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (01.07.2025)
Allgäuer Zeitung (11.06.2025)
Tagesschau (20.05.2025)
BR24 (12.04.2025)
