watchlist-internet.at

Watchlist Internet is an independent information platform from Austria that publishes warnings about current internet fraud and fraud-like online traps. It also gives tips on self-protection and concrete guidance to fraud victims on next steps. Current topics include subscription traps, classifieds scams, phishing, smishing and vishing, fake shops, brand counterfeiting, advance-fee fraud, Facebook fraud, fake invoices and ransomware.

Its services and tools include a free newsletter, a smartphone app with warnings, lists of untrustworthy websites and a reporting form, a WhatsApp channel, a Fake-Shop Detector browser plugin for Chrome, Firefox and Edge, and a Nachrichten-Check that assesses suspicious messages. Users can also report traps through an online form. For companies, the platform offers an information feed on fraud aimed at employees, a cybersecurity awareness playbook, and a phishing simulation in beta. Collaborations with public authorities, ministries, media, NGOs and businesses are mentioned, and the platform is supported by partners.

Alerts are published only in German and cover the German-speaking region. The platform is active on Facebook and Instagram and offers webinars and talks on internet fraud, and its brochure is also available in Turkish and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian.

Product: Online fraud warnings and tips, Fake-Shop Detector browser plugin, Nachrichten-Check message checker, smartphone app, and phishing simulation for companies.