Payment fraud triggers joint response after €580 million in losses
Approximately 1.8 million fraudulent payment transactions generated over €580 million in damages across Germany in 2025. In response, the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Federal Ministry of Finance will launch a nationwide anti-phishing campaign on October 10.
Cross-sector defense against digital theft
The nationwide initiative, titled “Machen wir Phishen Impossible!,” was initiated by the Fraud Prevention Roundtable, which the Deutsche Bundesbank established in November 2025.
Both the central bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance are serving as joint patrons for the month-long project.
“Effective prevention can only succeed across industry boundaries and requires the collective effort of all stakeholders,” Bundesbank Executive Board member Lutz Lienenkämper stated.
Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil also warned that anyone paying digitally must recognize deceptive tactics before becoming a victim.
The campaign urges consumers to pause, think, and protect themselves against unauthorized transactions.
Multichannel guides counter spoofing
Starting on October 10, institutions across finance, telecommunications, and retail will join public bodies in a one-month public education push.
Operating across social media channels and the dedicated website www.phishen-impossible.de, the campaign presents videos exposing widespread tactics such as fake identities and bogus bank calls.
The platform also offers practical instructions for victims when fraud occurs.
Adapted from an Austrian model, the drive pools resources to counter escalating phishing operations.
Awareness cannot replace hard safeguards
Consumer education represents an overdue reaction to surging payment fraud.
Yet placing the burden of defense on end users ignores structural weaknesses in payment authentication.
Without mandatory technical safeguards across the industry, public warnings will barely dent the €580 million loss tally.
Source: Kampagne gegen Betrug im Zahlungsverkehr
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