Golden Safety Rules
III. Secure money transfer – advice regarding payment terms
Scrutinise payment options
Online payment options are diverse and vary according to offer and online portal. Bank transfer and credit card are the generally accepted means of payment.
Once the user has found his dream property he should beware of making premature payments: If payment in advance is requested, for example by DHL or Western Union, prior to an apartment viewing or car purchase, the user should not make any such payment under any circumstances whatsoever. Payments to reserve the item are unusual and often turn out to be a case of fraud.
When the offer has been checked and the contractual formalities clarified then nothing else remains in the way of a money transfer by credit card or direct debit. Generally speaking, users should steer clear of offers that refuse on-site viewing appointments, in particular with regard to apartments and vehicles.
Beware of trustee service – critical reviewing is essential!
Trustee services promising greater security for money transfers between customer and seller are a widespread type of fraud, especially when it comes to high priced offers. Numerous online marketplaces do not provide a trustee service for monetary settlement. Should, in this case, a trustee nevertheless offer his services – preferably by way of email – it is very often the act of a fraudster. If in doubt, the user should always consult the customer hotline or the security advice of the respective marketplace.
Never conclude a contract without documents
Be it an apartment, car or insurance – in each case a written agreement signed by both parties should exist.
When purchasing a vehicle the following data should be checked without fail before concluding a contract:
- Personal ID of the seller / owner
- Official registration documents and certificates
- The specified chassis number should correspond to that in the engine compartment
Further security advice about online car purchasing as well as searching for property can be found here: