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Germany (DE)

Germany is Europe's largest economy and most populous country — a federal parliamentary republic of 16 states (Bundesländer) celebrated for its engineering prowess, rich cultural heritage from Beethoven to Bauhaus, world-famous Oktoberfest and Riesling wines, and one of the most comprehensive social safety nets in the world.

Capital: Berlin
Region: Europe
Language: German
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 68)
Emergency: 112
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Scam Warnings

Common scams targeting expats in Germany.

Most scams targeting expats exploit language barriers and unfamiliarity with German bureaucracy. The golden rule: never pay before a viewing, never share your full Schufa or bank details over email, and always verify an official letter by calling the listed authority directly (Googled number, not the one on the letter).

Fake apartment listing

critical

Scammer copies photos from a real listing, offers a great flat at below market, claims to be "abroad for work", asks for a deposit by Western Union, crypto or PayPal Friends & Family before a viewing.

How to spot it
  • - Price 30–50% below comparable listings
  • - Landlord refuses in-person viewing or phone call
  • - Urgency pressure ("other applicants ready to pay today")
  • - Requests payment outside SEPA transfer
  • - Documents with suspicious formatting, flags, stamps
  • - German grammar that is too perfect or comically bad
What to do: Walk away. Never pay before a signed Mietvertrag and physical viewing. Report to Polizei online-Wache and to the platform. Reverse-image-search the photos on Google.

Phishing SMS/email pretending to be DHL, Deutsche Post, Zoll, Finanzamt

warning

SMS says "your package is held at customs, pay €2.99 fee" or Finanzamt emails claim a tax refund awaits. Links lead to fake payment pages that steal card details.

How to spot it
  • - Any SMS/email asking for card details or login
  • - Urgent tone and threats of fees/fines
  • - Misspelled sender domains (dhl-de.com, zoll-gebuehr.net)
  • - Finanzamt never asks for taxes via email — always letter
What to do: Do not click. Check package on the official carrier website. Forward to phishing@verbraucherzentrale.de and delete.

Door-to-door energy contract switch

warning

Sales rep says they are "from your utility" and asks to "check your meter reading" to switch you to a cheaper tariff. In fact they sign you up with a new provider on aggressive terms.

How to spot it
  • - No appointment, no badge, no written quote
  • - Pressure to sign on a tablet on the doorstep
  • - Refusal to leave you contract text to read overnight
What to do: Do not sign. Close the door. If already signed: 14-day Widerrufsrecht applies — send written Widerruf by Einschreiben within 14 days. Telephone energy contracts since Aug 2021 also need written confirmation or are void.

Fake Inkasso letter

warning

Letter from "Inkasso" demanding payment for a subscription or purchase you never made, with threats of Schufa damage and lawyer fees if not paid in 7 days.

How to spot it
  • - No mention of the original creditor and contract
  • - PO box or unknown company address
  • - Payment only to an account that is not the original creditor
  • - Vague description of service
What to do: Do NOT pay. Send written demand for Offenlegung (proof of original contract + assignment). Verbraucherzentrale template letter available. Report to Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht if threats continue.

Enkeltrick / Schockanruf

critical

Caller claims to be a grandchild in an accident or a fake police officer saying burglars targeting the neighborhood — asking for cash or jewellery to be handed to a "courier".

How to spot it
  • - Caller avoids saying names, asks "raten Sie mal!"
  • - Extreme urgency and secrecy
  • - Demand to hand over cash or valuables to a stranger
  • - Real police NEVER ask for cash or valuables
What to do: Hang up. Call the relative directly on their known number. Report to Polizei 110. Warn elderly relatives — they are the usual targets.

Fake PayPal / Amazon / Sparkasse security call

warning

Phone or SMS: "unauthorised payment on your account, confirm with this code." The caller uses the code to authorise a real transaction from your account.

How to spot it
  • - Caller knows some of your details (leaked in data breaches)
  • - Asks for TAN, SMS code, or pushTAN confirmation
  • - Urgent tone, threats of account freeze
What to do: Hang up. Never share TANs. Call your bank on the number printed on your card. Report to Polizei online-Wache.

Romance scam via dating apps

warning

Match declares love quickly, lives "abroad", eventually needs €500–5000 for a medical emergency, travel ticket or customs fee.

How to spot it
  • - Fast-moving romance without video calls
  • - Vague profession (engineer on oil rig, soldier abroad)
  • - Always about to visit but something prevents it
  • - Any money request
What to do: Stop contact. Report profile to the platform. Polizei online-Wache. Never send money.

Reporting

Where to report: Polizei 110 (emergency) / Online-Wache of your Bundesland (non-emergency report). Verbraucherzentrale for consumer fraud. BSI (bsi.bund.de) for phishing. Schufa if identity theft.

Consumer helpline: Verbraucherzentrale of your Bundesland — see verbraucherzentrale.de for number. First consultation typically €10–30.