One of our readers sent us a recent fake debt collection letter. We would like to use this to warn you and show you how you can recognize fake letters.

Alleged debt collection procedure

Without a personal name and address, the “user” is asked to pay an allegedly outstanding amount of 189.58 euros within the next 8 days. Otherwise the “contract” would be terminated and “legal proceedings would be initiated.” (sic!) The specified BIC of the bank details leads to a bank in London. The name of the bank account holder and the name of the company are not the same. The company TONAS ER AG – supposedly from Berlin – could not be found on the Internet.

There are countless spelling errors in the letter and it is not even mentioned what exactly these 189.58 euros are due for. It remains completely unclear whether the “user” bought a new TV with the amount or did not pay his contribution to the fitness center. In addition, we are not even able to contact this company because they do not have a phone number or email address.

Screenshot of the debt collection letter from “TONAS ER AG”
Screenshot of the debt collection letter from “TONAS ER AG”

Users who have received a reminder from TONAS ER AG or other strange-looking debt collection letters should under no circumstances pay! Find out beforehand whether the companies are actually real!

If you have received such a letter, you can get advice from the BDIU debt collection association on the website www.inkasso.de. The debt collection association BDIU has compiled a list of the most common fake senders . However, the TONAS ER AG mentioned here is not yet on this list. This means: Even if you receive such a letter and do not see this company listed, still be vigilant!

The BDIU debt collection association advises:

If you have received such a letter: Do not transfer anything! Do not object, either by letter or email. Do not call the phone number listed on the letters. phone number misuse have also been increasing recently . Fraudsters call with a manipulated telephone number. Federal Network Agency accepts information on this .

Have you received a debt collection letter and are unsure whether it is a real reminder? Then use our “Check reminders” . With just a few clicks, typical questions that people have when receiving a reminder are answered. This makes it easy to spot an attempted fraud.”

How do you recognize a genuine debt collection letter?

  • The BDIU writes that all real companies must be the legal services register We also looked for TONAS ER AG here and couldn't find it. This is the first indication of a fake.
  • In addition, precise information about the creditor and the outstanding claim must be provided in the letter. If the amount claimed cannot be attributed to a purchase or contract, caution is advised.
  • The salutation, name and address of the person being warned are recorded completely and correctly on the letter. In addition, the exact address of the sender including telephone number and email address is always given. If this is not the case, as in the letter from the alleged TONAS ER AG, get advice, for example. B. at the BDIU!
  • Real debt collection letters usually have no spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Research the bank details where you should transfer. Enter the provided BIC code into Google search. You quickly find out which bank it is. If the bank is based abroad, caution is advised.
  • The sender (company name) and the payment recipient (bank account holder) must be identical! If this is not the case, do not transfer under any circumstances!

What to do if you received a fake debt collection letter?

Never respond directly to emails with fake content! The BDIU warns against websites of alleged debt collection companies. If you are asked to enter data in contact forms, please DO NOT do so!

Do not call the phone number provided on the letters, as cases of phone number misuse have often arisen recently.

In addition, no objection should be submitted:

“Fraudsters also use the contact options provided to obtain personal information from consumers. You shouldn't do them this favor. The only correct response to a fake warning letter is to report it to the police.”

Source: BDIU

If you are unsure, please contact the Federal Association of German Debt Collection Companies (BDIU) on the telephone number: +49 30 2060736-0 or using their contact form on their homepage.

Information within Austria and an overview of the members can be found on the Debt Collection Association website .

Author: Elke Haberl, Mimikama

Source:

BDIU – “Fake debt collection” scam , BDIU – Most common fake senders
You might also be interested in: Beware of fake SMS


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