The consumer advice centers register significantly more trouble about dubious offers for services on the Internet.
In the first half of 2025, more than 2,900 complaints were recorded – almost three times as many as in the same period last year. The boss of the Federal Association, Ramona Pop, told the German Press Agency: “Especially when offers are advertised at search engines, consumers should be allowed to be able to deal with serious offers.” However, dubious or even fraudulent offers such as “fake services” are often difficult to recognize.
“In most cases, consumers complain about service providers who advertise online, for example, with offers for post -sending orders, certificates of good conduct or other official documents,” said Pop. Frequently paid users: inside for services that would have been cheaper or free of charge in official bodies. Sometimes you don’t get any performance for the money.
Online fraud can be expensive
“For those affected, fake services are not just a nuisance on the Internet,” said the leader of the association. “Online fraud is a real risk that can be expensive – and leads to uncertainty and loss of trust among people.” Platforms that also earn money for dubious offers would have to do justice to their responsibility.
The consumer advice centers also proceed legally against certain practices. One example is a website in which online forms for contacting the contribution service of public service broadcasting are offered, for example for moves-for 39.99 euros, although it is also possible free of charge. The Federal Association is complaining about non -transparent information.