In the last few days and weeks I have repeatedly dealt with a few websites that have spread dubious offers. The prelude made it returns-produkte-retten.de, a site that is now already was taken off the network. It continued with a second page, which lures with cheap returned goods (here ), as well as two pages on which test products from areas ranging from technology to cosmetics are advertised (here ). In the linked posts I have shown how to examine such sites and track content to test the seriousness of the offers. But then what? How to report fake shops and scam sites? I'll explain that to you here.
If you find a dubious website with services that sound too good, a dubious shop or other indications of criminal activities, you can check and report it. You can find out how this works here.
As part of the research described above, I wrote to the consumer centers in the German federal states and asked them what you, as readers of the Sir Apfelot Blog, can do to recognize and report a fake shop or a scamming website. The first tip in the email reply from the Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center was to find out about the providers of the site (look at the imprint, check tax numbers, etc.).
The consumer advice center’s fake shop finder can be used as a tool for quickly examining offers that appear questionable: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/fakeshopfinder-71560. There you enter a shop internet address and then an evaluation of the page is displayed. However, it may be the case with new fraud sites that they have not yet been deposited. Therefore, a missing rating is not synonymous with a reputable shop.
Turns out I'm already behind with my research on this site. In the fake shop finder of the consumer advice center, it has been stored with a warning for a little longer.
Advertise online against websites and the people behind them
If a scam site has been identified, a fake shop found, or if you have already suffered damage through interaction with such a site, then a complaint should be made. The Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center advised me to place the ad under https://online-strafanzeige.de/ deliver. This works e.g. B. comfortably from home, without having to wait at a police station and then have to explain the facts.
The found scam website or fake online store should say "be reported to the police so that they are switched off at Denic' the email said. Denic means DENIC eG, where "all domains with the country code .de registered“ are as it is on the the website of the service is called. In the DENIC FAQ However, it is pointed out that only the link to the web content is deleted with the domain, not the content itself.
If you are sure that it is a scam website or a fake shop - or you are even a victim of the machinations pursued - then you can file a complaint online.
After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
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1 comment on "Report fake shops and scam sites: Here's how!"
It is unbelievable. On Thursday I discovered a shop that turned out to be a fake shop: drahtesel-esel.com.
And today this article comes in the newsletter.
And suddenly, when you talk about it, victims appear.
"Check tax numbers,"
not that easy at all. I had found three sites (one in Austria)
One side gave the Ust.ID. as invalid, another one as valid and another asked first for an own ID. (Nonsense, very few private individuals have one!) I gave my ID, which has since expired. and found out that I was not allowed to search in DE and should enter a different country code. What nonsense.
Incidentally, my expired ID was reported as "valid" by one website.
Apple Mac Pro (2023) - Specifications, M2 Ultra, Images and Prices
It is unbelievable. On Thursday I discovered a shop that turned out to be a fake shop: drahtesel-esel.com.
And today this article comes in the newsletter.
And suddenly, when you talk about it, victims appear.
"Check tax numbers,"
not that easy at all. I had found three sites (one in Austria)
One side gave the Ust.ID. as invalid, another one as valid and another asked first for an own ID. (Nonsense, very few private individuals have one!) I gave my ID, which has since expired. and found out that I was not allowed to search in DE and should enter a different country code. What nonsense.
Incidentally, my expired ID was reported as "valid" by one website.