Check the sender
A debt collection notice, reminder, warning letter or investment offer? Check in official registers whether the sender even exists or is registered. A genuine debt collection agency, for example, must be listed. If the entry is missing, that is a strong warning sign.
Company / type of letter
Rechtsdienstleistungsregister (register of legal services)
official web searchIs the sender registered as a debt collection service provider?
A genuine debt collection agency MUST be listed here. Search for the company name. NO result = it is not allowed to collect debts at all (a strong warning sign).
Debt collection service providers / registered legal-service providers · State justice administrations (Landesjustizverwaltungen)
Open the registerCommercial/company register (Handels-/Unternehmensregister)
searchable onlineDoes the company even exist, and at this address?
Search for the company name + location. No entry, a different address or a very fresh incorporation = be careful.
Existence & key data of companies (GmbH, UG, AG, ...) · Bundesanzeiger Verlag / state justice
Open the registerFederal official lawyer directory (Anwaltsverzeichnis)
official web searchIs the law firm that sent the warning letter real?
Search for the name of the law firm or lawyer. Not listed = very suspicious. NEVER sign the enclosed cease-and-desist declaration without checking it.
Existence of lawyers/law firms (for example with warning letters) · Federal Bar Association (Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer, BRAK)
Open the registerBaFin company database & warnings
searchable onlineDoes the provider have a financial license, or is it on a warning list?
Search for the provider in the BaFin company database AND check the BaFin warnings.
Authorization of financial/investment/credit providers + warning lists · Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht)
Open the registerWe link the official search, you enter the query there yourself (data protection). Tip: also use our scam check if a message seems suspicious to you.