Sometimes you receive payment requests for things you don’t recognise – including by email or text message. Checking calmly helps more than paying quickly.
Key points
- Genuine debt collection letters (Inkassobriefe) name the original creditor and the reason for the claim.
- Threats of immediate arrest or similar threats are a typical sign of fraud.
- If you are unsure, a consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or debt counselling service (Schuldnerberatung) can help.
- Check the senderIs there a full address? Is the debt collection agency (Inkassounternehmen) listed in the Legal Services Register (Rechtsdienstleistungsregister)?
- Look for the contractDid you actually have a contract or place an order with the original creditor named?
- Avoid unfamiliar linksDo not open links or attachments in suspicious emails or text messages. Look up contact details yourself.
- Check the bank detailsA foreign bank account or constantly changing contact details can be warning signs.
What to do
- 1Keep the letter or message
- 2Look up the sender in the Legal Services Register (Rechtsdienstleistungsregister)
- 3Look for your own contract or invoice
- 4Ask in writing what the claim is based on
- 5If you suspect fraud, inform a consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) or the police
MeaNext provides general information about debt, payment reminders (Mahnungen), garnishment (Pfändung) and financial problems. This information does not replace individual debt, legal or financial advice. Deadlines, contracts, types of claims and personal circumstances may be crucial in your particular case.
Last reviewed by a specialist: 09/10/2026
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