Wegweiser Pensioners · Pension, tax, basic income support and housing benefit explained Deutsch

🚨 Recognising pension fraud and fake messages

Fraudsters pose as the pension insurance. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung never asks for payment details by phone, e-mail or text message.

pension fraud phishing fake e-mail confidence trick eligibility certificate (Berechtigungsbescheinigung) pension insurance warning phone fraud fake letters

In brief

Fraudsters send e-mails, make phone calls, write letters or come to your door. They pretend to be from the pension insurance.

The pension insurance never asks you by phone, e-mail or text message to give personal data or payment details.

Do not click any links. Do not reply. Instead, call the official number: 0800 1000 4800 (Mon–Thu 8:00–19:00, Fri 8:00–15:30).

Letters titled "Berechtigungsbescheinigung – Ihre Rente" (eligibility certificate – your pension) do not come from the pension insurance.

Step by step

  1. Click nothing, transfer nothingDo not react to pressure or deadlines in the message.
  2. Check the senderLook at the e-mail address. Unfamiliar domains are a warning sign.
  3. Call the official number0800 1000 4800, not the number from the suspicious message.
  4. Secure your data and get helpIf you have given away data or money, involve your bank and the police immediately (procedure not checked against the full text).

Deadlines

0800 1000 4800
Free service telephone of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Mon–Thu 8:00–19:00, Fri 8:00–15:30Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Betrugsversuchen
never
The DRV never asks by phone, e-mail or text message that you reveal payment detailsDeutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Phishing-Mails (13 February 2026)
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Typical pretexts (DRV): security update of the Digitale RentenĂĽbersicht (digital pension overview), sending of the pension information, alleged wrong booking with contribution refund.
  • Fraudulent letters "Berechtigungsbescheinigung – Ihre Rente" and fake websites that demand fees are currently widespread.
  • Whether the pension insurance appears in person at your front door was not checked against the full text. If in doubt, ask beforehand on the service number.
  • You do not have to pay anything for a pension statement or account clarification (DRV note on free documents, wording not checked against the full text).
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Warnings from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung

The DRV warns of phishing e-mails in DRV design, phone fraud with fake DRV employees, fraudulent letters and fake websites. As a distinguishing feature it names the sender's e-mail address. The DRV recommends not answering suspicious contact attempts and using the official hotline.

What to do

  • Do not click any links and do not carry out any actions named in the e-mail.
  • Do not give out personal data or payment details.

Not checked against the full text

Criminal complaint, bank liability, reporting points of the consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen). For general fraud schemes against seniors: see the Wegweiser group Senioren.

Who is responsible
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung, service telephone 0800 1000 4800
  • Police (report)
  • Bank or savings bank (for debits)
Further reading
Pension application, deadlines and pension statementAdvice and contact points for pensioners

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Recognising pension fraud and fake messages“?
Fraudsters pose as the pension insurance. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung never asks for payment details by phone, e-mail or text message.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 0800 1000 4800: Free service telephone of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung: Mon–Thu 8:00–19:00, Fri 8:00–15:30 (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Betrugsversuchen)
  • never: The DRV never asks by phone, e-mail or text message that you reveal payment details (Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Phishing-Mails (13 February 2026))
What should I do first?
  • Click nothing, transfer nothing: Do not react to pressure or deadlines in the message.
  • Check the sender: Look at the e-mail address. Unfamiliar domains are a warning sign.
  • Call the official number: 0800 1000 4800, not the number from the suspicious message.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Typical pretexts (DRV): security update of the Digitale RentenĂĽbersicht (digital pension overview), sending of the pension information, alleged wrong booking with contribution refund.
  • Fraudulent letters "Berechtigungsbescheinigung – Ihre Rente" and fake websites that demand fees are currently widespread.
  • Whether the pension insurance appears in person at your front door was not checked against the full text. If in doubt, ask beforehand on the service number.
Evidence
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Betrugsversuchen, retrieved 21 September 2026
  • Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Warnung vor Phishing-Mails im Stil der DRV (13 February 2026, search hit), retrieved 21 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.