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The short answer.

Spam and scam calls in Germany: what to do

Germany has no do-not-call list to join, because sales calls to you are only allowed with your prior consent. Complain about an illegal sales call to the Bundesnetzagentur online, and call the police on 110 about a scam call.

For “shock calls” from fake police officers or relatives, the police’s advice is simple: hang up, and call your family back on the number you know.

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Public figures.

How common are scam calls in Germany?

Free, five minutes.

How do I stop sales calls in Germany?

There’s no register to join. A company may only call you to sell something if you agreed beforehand, and it must be able to prove it.

  1. Write down the number, date, time and company of the call.
  2. File a complaint at bundesnetzagentur.de/telefonwerbung-beschwerde.Bundesnetzagentur, Beschwerde über unerlaubte Telefonwerbung
  3. The Bundesnetzagentur fines companies: €1.099 million in 2025, including the first fines for not documenting consent.Bundesnetzagentur, Pressemitteilung: erneuter Anstieg der Beschwerdezahlen (26. Januar 2026)

Where do I report a scam call?

What do phone companies offer for free?

Which scams are common right now?

Fake police officers

A caller says burglars are nearby and offers to keep your cash and jewelry safe. Losses rose by more than half in 2025.

Tagesspiegel (dpa), BKA-Zahlen: Schaden durch falsche Polizisten stark gestiegen (6. August 2026)Polizei-Beratung, Schockanrufe: Legen Sie sofort auf! (2. Juli 2026)

Shock calls and the grandchild trick

A “relative”, doctor or prosecutor says someone you love caused an accident and bail must be paid today. The BKA says the callers often pose as state officials too.

BKA, BKA warnt vor „Schockanrufen“Polizei-Beratung, Schockanrufe: Legen Sie sofort auf! (2. Juli 2026)

Prize draws

The most complained-about sales calls in 2025 were about prize draws: 28% of all complaints.

Bundesnetzagentur, Pressemitteilung: erneuter Anstieg der Beschwerdezahlen (26. Januar 2026)

What should I say, and not say?

Say

  • I’ll call my family myself.
  • I don’t discuss money on the phone.
  • Then hang up, and call 110 if you’re unsure.

Don’t

  • Don’t hand cash or jewelry to a messenger.
  • Don’t use redial to check a caller: dial the number you know.
  • Don’t say “yes” to an offer you didn’t ask for.
Honest limits.

Where does Vicem fit?

Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t, on its own number or on yours.

  • It answers the calls you miss and turns away scam calls.
  • It always tells callers it’s an AI.
  • Works when your phone is off.
  • Asks you before anything important.
  • Anyone can check what it did.
  • Robocalls, scam calls and silent calls Vicem screens out at the start never count against your minutes, nor do calls that fail on our side.
  • It never gives a caller your details.
  • You get a short summary of every call.
  • It answers callers in German and 36 other languages.

What it can’t do

  • It answers only the calls you forward to it or that reach your Vicem number. Calls you pick up are yours.
  • It doesn’t block or report numbers. Keep the register and your phone company’s filter on.
  • Some phone companies charge for forwarded calls. Check yours before you turn it on.
  • There are no local Vicem numbers in Germany yet: keep your number and forward the calls you miss.
Start free trial

Free for 14 days.

What do people ask?

Is there a do-not-call list in Germany?

No official one. Sales calls to consumers need prior consent, so you report illegal calls to the Bundesnetzagentur instead.

Where do I report a scam call in Germany?

To the police: call 110. Illegal sales calls go to the Bundesnetzagentur’s online form.

Do the German police ever ask for money on the phone?

Never. Hang up and call 110 yourself.

Where next?