Increased numbers of grievances concerning digital platforms
In a recent statement, Ramona Pop, the head of the federal association, has expressed concern over the rise in deceptive online services that charge consumers for services that could be cheaper or free at official institutions. Pop emphasised that platforms earning money from advertising for such offers must fulfil their responsibility.
Pop urges consumers to exercise caution, particularly when dealing with service providers on the internet, especially when it comes to official documents and services. She highlighted that these types of complaints involve service providers who offer services that are not available or not needed by consumers.
The federal association has taken legal action against certain practices, such as a website charging 39.99 euros for contacting the contribution service of public broadcasting for moves, which can be done for free directly. They have also sued a website for providing opaque information.
The increase in complaints about dubious internet offers was reported by the German Press Agency, with over 2,900 complaints recorded in the first half of 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. This surge in complaints has raised concerns about the loss of trust among the public due to online fraud.
Common examples of fake services on the internet include phishing scams, business email compromise, tech support scams, customer service impersonation scams, lottery and prize scams, imposter scams, and fake online marketplaces, counterfeit goods, and fraudulent ticket sales.
To protect themselves from these fraudulent offers, consumers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial information, verify the authenticity of any request, never share login credentials or verification codes via email, text, or phone calls, avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected emails or texts, and report suspected scams to relevant authorities or platforms.
Pop emphasised the importance of consumers being able to trust the services they find on the internet, particularly when it comes to official documents and services. She did not specify the exact amount of money lost due to online fraud but emphasised that it can be expensive. She also stated that online fraud leads to uncertainty and loss of trust among consumers.
The federal association did not comment on the increase in complaints about dubious internet offers reported by the German Press Agency nor did they specify which platforms are earning money from advertising for unserious offers apart from the website charging for contacting the contribution service of public broadcasting for moves. They also did not mention any other legal actions against unserious offers apart from the ones mentioned.
Service providers on the internet must provide accurate and legitimate services to consumers, as the increase in deceptive online services can lead to a loss of trust and potentially expensive financial losses. Pop also highlighted the importance of technology platforms fulfilling their responsibility to ensure the authenticity of service providers and information presented to consumers.
