Be careful with online applications: Consumers often end up on paid sites, warns financial experts

Be careful with online applications: Consumers often end up on paid sites, warns financial experts

According to a report from www.l-iz.de, the Saxony Consumer Center warns of treacherous online offers in connection with the refund application from Deutsche Bahn. Many consumers are increasingly using digital solutions to submit refund and complaint requests. However, some users end up on sites that offer the application service for a fee instead of directly on the official Deutsche Bahn website. These sites often look deceptively real, so that users notice too late that it is a paid service.

Such treacherous sites result in a third of the refund amount being withheld as a fee. There is a lack of overview, especially on the small display of a smartphone, which can further deceive users. The consumer advice center therefore recommends checking the pages thoroughly, checking the name of the page and the legal notice to ensure that you have landed on the actual provider's page.

These insidious online practices can have a negative impact on consumers. On the one hand, there can be a financial burden due to unexpected costs, and on the other hand, trust in online services and application processes is reduced. This could also have an impact on the market, with reputable providers being harmed by fraudulent sites.

It is important that consumers are made aware of such treacherous online offers and are aware that official application forms are usually free. In addition, relevant authorities and companies should take measures to counteract such fraudulent practices and better educate consumers.