Complaints About Illegal Telemarketing Calls Rise by 8% in 2024

The German Federal Network Agency reports a resurgence in consumer complaints about unauthorized telemarketing, reversing a prior decline.

In 2024, 37,561 complaints about unauthorized telemarketing were filed, an 8% increase from 2023.
The Federal Network Agency imposed fines totaling €1.37 million on companies violating telemarketing laws, slightly less than the €1.44 million issued in 2023.
Common complaints involved deceptive calls about sweepstakes, discounted energy tariffs, and products like photovoltaic systems.
One major case involved a company falsely claiming to represent a pharmacy association, pressuring elderly individuals to purchase costly supplements.
Telemarketing calls are only legal with prior consent, and complaints can be filed via the agency's official website.