"Your pushTAN expires — reactivate it now"

An email or text styled exactly like your Sparkasse says your pushTAN procedure is expiring, your account has been restricted, or the banking app must be updated — and gives you a link and a tight deadline.

German banks use pushTAN, chipTAN, and photoTAN to approve transfers; scammers exploit them by claiming the procedure must be "reactivated." The link leads to a copy of your bank's site that steals your login.

A real bank never emails or texts a link to reactivate your TAN procedure.

What to do: don't click. Open your banking only by typing the address yourself or using the official app. If you already entered your details, call your bank and 116 116 (the nationwide card- and account-blocking hotline) straight away.