Identity theft

Sicherheitab 9 J.

Criminals use your personal data (name, address, bank details) to shop or open accounts in your name.

Identity theft (Identitätsdiebstahl) means that someone misuses your personal data – to sign contracts, open accounts or shop online.

Figures for Germany:

• Over 100,000 registered cases per year (the number of unreported cases is much higher)
• According to PwC, one in 3 Germans has already been affected
• Average damage: approx. €1,366 per victim

Most common methods:

• Phishing: fake emails/text messages asking for bank details
• Data leaks: personal data from hacked online shops
• Skimming: tampering with cash machines/card terminals
• Social engineering: calls pretending to be "bank staff" or "police"

How to protect yourself:

• Unique passwords for every website (use a password manager!)
• Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere
• Check your bank statements weekly
• Request your Schufa data free of charge once a year (meineschufa.de)
• Secure your letterbox (identity theft via stolen post)

What to do if it happens?

• Block your accounts immediately (116 116)
• Report it to the police
• Check your Schufa entry and report the fraud
• Inform the companies affected

Did you know? More than 100,000 cases of identity theft are registered in Germany every year. The real figure is much higher. Most common method: phishing emails.

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