Overview

• Cybercriminals are targeting German consumers with phishing emails claiming to be from DHL, demanding payment of fictitious customs fees for non-EU shipments.
• Key phishing indicators include missing shipment numbers, generic salutations, suspicious sender domains, and urgent 48-hour payment deadlines.
• The Verbraucherzentrale advises recipients to verify payment requests via the official DHL app or website instead of clicking links in suspicious emails.
• DHL confirms genuine communications originate from specific company domains and advises forwarding suspected phishing emails to their designated reporting address.
• Victims risk losing sensitive personal and financial data, which could lead to identity theft or financial fraud if phishing links are clicked.