This article is originally from 2021, but in 2024 it is still relevant, the scam continues … After all, it has become cheaper, “only” Fr. 45/month. The e-mail address is now [email protected], the name “s.bachmann“.
Actually, it is already obvious from the e-mail address that it is not reputable. Reputable companies rarely use a GMail (or other free address) as an official email.
Currently, emails are sent to lure customers into a marketing subscription trap: First, a customer sent me an email to ask me if it was legitimate, which was easy to answer. Today I received one myself.
The text
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
In accordance with the editorial review of your company data in 2021, we will send you the attached document. Check the accuracy of the information. If you make any changes, please note them in the empty field of the copy.
Please return the sealed and signed document to us as soon as possible to complete the update of your file.
Claudia Janssens
Localsearch
localsearch.ch is a relatively well-known company that also sells various subscriptions, but it is not necessarily known for luring customers into subscription traps. However, this e-mail is certainly not from Localsearch (on whose directory search.ch I actually have an entry with the data used in this message), but from stadtplan-online.net.
The Appendix
The sender is [email protected] here. The address [email protected] has also been used, and probably various others. Under stadtplan-online.net and stadtplan-local.net there are of course(?) no real websites.
The damage
Fr. 55 per month over two years are demanded, i.e. a total of Fr. 1320.00. You can certainly do something better with that.
In return, a “registration of his data in the online business directory” is offered. What kind of directory this is supposed to be is not clear. I’m sure it doesn’t provide any benefit. I am not a lawyer, so I do not know whether a contract concluded by such a dubious method is valid at all. But it’s better not to fall for it in the first place.
As with practically all emails where you are not 100% sure who they are coming from and that they are legitimate: Look closely, pay attention to the sender, and what is required of you. If you are supposed to click on links, be doubly careful. If, as in this case, you are asked to print out and sign a contract, be triple careful and it is best to ask a third person. In such cases, I am happy to provide my customers with free information. Minimal effort that may save you from significant damage.
Measures for those affected
As a web developer with an interest in online fraud, spam, etc., I have some experience in detecting scams. But there is little I can do to help those affected – I am not a lawyer.
Please contact the police, which offers various contact points. I have already sent messages there myself, and I have the impression that such reports are taken seriously and handled competently.
Contest the contract
If you’ve fallen for it, you have a good chance of contesting a contract that came into being fraudulently. This konsumentenschutz.ch:
“[…] The following may be contested:
• Contracts concluded on the basis of deliberate deception […]
In these cases, the contract is non-binding. If you do not want to keep the contract, you must inform the contractual partner within one year, e.g. after the deception or error has been discovered or the fear has been removed. Otherwise, the contract is deemed to have been approved“
However, the perpetrators of the fraud attempts I have described avoid giving their addresses, which makes it difficult to contest them. I also didn’t find a working website of these people. Of course, you can try the email address provided and ask for the address. If you are successful with this, please contact me, I would be interested. The first invoice should then contain an address at the latest (hopefully you have not issued a debit authorization …). According to consumer protection, you have one year to contest the dispute.
Some links
Cybercrime Police (report cases, also very good for general information and news): https://www.cybercrimepolice.ch/de/ereignis-melden/
Swiss Crime Prevention: https://www.skppsc.ch/de/themen/internet/
OFCOM (detailed list of services): https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/de/home/digital-und-internet/internet/bekaempfung-der-internetkriminalitaet.html
Consumer protection: https://www.konsumentenschutz.ch/online-ratgeber/wann-ist-ein-vertrag-anfechtbar/
So: Don’t panic – until you have actually paid something, nothing is lost. As a victim, call the police or send a message. It’s free of charge and you’re sure to get useful advice and support.