Hungary consumer protection authority warns of home impersonation scams

The National Authority for Consumer Protection (NKFH) has issued a warning regarding an increasing trend of scammers attempting to enter homes by impersonating telecommunications or utility service providers.

In one reported method, fraudsters contact consumers using the name of a telecommunications company, citing an email or a new free television channel as a pretext. They claim they must inspect a television or set-top box and subsequently demand payment for the alleged inspection, with one reported instance involving a fee of 20,000 forints.

These scammers primarily target elderly, single, or vulnerable individuals. The NKFH advises citizens to remain cautious of any unexpected visits from technicians or inspectors. Consumers are urged to request photo identification, verify the individual's identity by calling the service provider's official customer service number (rather than any number provided by the visitor), and never provide cash, credit card details, PIN codes, or passwords to unverified individuals.