Wegweiser Seniors · Rights & Benefits Deutsch

🚨 Fraud and protection against rip-offs

The grandchild trick, fake police officers and doorstep sales are among the most common forms of fraud against older people – for doorstep sales, a 14-day right of withdrawal helps.

grandchild trick (Enkeltrick) fake police officers right of withdrawal (Widerrufsrecht) 355 BGB doorstep sale (Haustürgeschäft) 312g BGB

In brief

Fraudulent calls from supposed grandchildren or police officers, promises of prizes and pushy sales pitches at the door are often aimed specifically at older people. The most important protection is never to let yourself be put under pressure on the phone or at the door and never to hand over money or valuables to strangers. If you have signed a contract at the door, you can withdraw from it within 14 days without giving reasons.

Step by step

  1. Never decide under pressureDo not let yourself be pushed on the phone or at the door into immediate decisions or handing over money or valuables.
  2. Verify identity yourselfIf in doubt, call back yourself using a known, official phone number instead of the number given by the caller.
  3. Hang up immediately and get helpIf you suspect fraud, hang up and contact the police (110) or a trusted person.
  4. Use the right of withdrawal for doorstep salesWithdraw in writing from a contract concluded at the door within 14 days.
  5. Report itIn case of an attempted or actual fraud, report it to the police and inform the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre).

Deadlines

14 days
Withdrawal period for doorstep sales and distance contracts from conclusion of the contract or proper notice of the right of withdrawal§ 355 BGB in conjunction with § 312g BGB
up to 12 months and 14 days
Extended withdrawal period if the notice of the right of withdrawal was defective or missing entirely§ 356 Abs. 3 BGB
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Real police officers never ask for cash, bank details, PIN or TAN and never ask for "test purchases" at your own bank.
  • Contracts offered at the door should in principle not be signed immediately – if in doubt, rather decline and check calmly later.
  • Supposed prize draws that demand an advance fee are almost always fraud.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Right of withdrawal for doorstep sales (§§ 312g, 355, 356 BGB)

Consumers can withdraw from contracts concluded outside business premises (e.g. at the door) or at a distance within 14 days without giving reasons (§ 312g in conjunction with § 355 BGB). If the prescribed notice of the right of withdrawal is missing or defective, the period is extended to up to twelve months and 14 days (§ 356 Abs. 3 BGB).

Criminal law classification

Fraudulent schemes such as the grandchild trick or fake police officers generally fulfil the offence of fraud (§ 263 StGB); the police crime prevention programme of the Länder and the federal government regularly publishes updated warnings and prevention materials on current fraud schemes.

Who is responsible
  • Police
  • Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre)
  • Staatsanwaltschaft (public prosecutor's office)
Further reading
Digital participation and helpAdvice and points of contact for seniors

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Fraud and protection against rip-offs“?
The grandchild trick, fake police officers and doorstep sales are among the most common forms of fraud against older people – for doorstep sales, a 14-day right of withdrawal helps.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 14 days: Withdrawal period for doorstep sales and distance contracts from conclusion of the contract or proper notice of the right of withdrawal (§ 355 BGB in conjunction with § 312g BGB)
  • up to 12 months and 14 days: Extended withdrawal period if the notice of the right of withdrawal was defective or missing entirely (§ 356 Abs. 3 BGB)
What should I do first?
  • Never decide under pressure: Do not let yourself be pushed on the phone or at the door into immediate decisions or handing over money or valuables.
  • Verify identity yourself: If in doubt, call back yourself using a known, official phone number instead of the number given by the caller.
  • Hang up immediately and get help: If you suspect fraud, hang up and contact the police (110) or a trusted person.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Real police officers never ask for cash, bank details, PIN or TAN and never ask for "test purchases" at your own bank.
  • Contracts offered at the door should in principle not be signed immediately – if in doubt, rather decline and check calmly later.
  • Supposed prize draws that demand an advance fee are almost always fraud.
Evidence
  • §§ 312g, 355, 356 BGB (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • § 263 StGB (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • Programm Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention der Länder und des Bundes (ProPK), publications 2026
As of

As of: September 2026 · Sources and method

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