Fake Rundfunkbeitrag emails demand €55.08 with false threats
A fraudulent email pretending to be from Germany’s Rundfunkbeitrag service is now circulating. The message demands immediate payment of €55.08 and pressures recipients with false threats about payment schedules. Authorities warn consumers not to fall for the scam. The scam email claims the recipient must pay €55.08 within a day, referencing a fake contribution number: 826 737 149. It pushes for an instant, irreversible transfer to a German bank account linked to a Spanish institution. To create urgency, the message mentions changes to the fixed payment schedule.
The email also offers fake discounts for paying six months or a full year in advance. However, the real Rundfunkbeitrag service never provides such incentives. Another red flag is the sender’s address, which does not end in the official @rundfunkbeitrag.de domain. Consumers can check the email’s legitimacy by contacting the real Rundfunkbeitrag service directly. The agency advises paying the broadcasting fee only via SEPA direct debit to avoid falling victim to such schemes.
The scam relies on urgency and false discounts to trick people into sending money. The real Rundfunkbeitrag service has no connection to the email or the provided bank details. Anyone receiving this message should ignore it and report it immediately.
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