Overview

• The Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen expects to close most fraud loopholes by June 30 and require all tickets to meet new IT security standards by October 2025.
• Schemes have ranged from counterfeit tickets and fake or stolen account data to a fraudulent site that sold discounted tickets using a stolen crypto key.
• Annual losses from Deutschlandticket fraud are estimated at a mid-three-digit million euro figure, with Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe reporting €1.4 million in 2024 and RMV noting extensive SEPA-debit abuse.
• Operators including MVV and RMV have introduced mandatory bank account and identity checks, leading to a significant drop in regional fraud cases.
• Officials warn that payment-related fraud remains dynamic and pledge to continuously adapt security controls as new tactics emerge.