Template letters & self-help guide
We believe that in many cases those affected can — and should — take action themselves. On this page you will find free templates that you can use without a lawyer’s help, as well as an honest assessment of when a lawyer actually makes sense.
Take action yourself or engage a lawyer?
[ An honest assessment ]Not every case requires a lawyer’s help. You can and should take some steps yourself. In other situations, a lawyer can make a real difference.
What you can do yourself
- Send a GDPR (DSGVO) access request to Trade Republic (template below)
- Write a recall complaint if TR did not initiate the recall or initiated it too late
- Send your own demand letter to Trade Republic with a deadline
- File a criminal complaint (Strafanzeige) and request access to the file
- Submit a complaint to BaFin
- File a complaint with the competent data protection authority if TR refuses to provide the information
- Contact your legal expenses insurer and submit a coverage inquiry
Where a lawyer can help
- The GDPR access response from TR has arrived and needs to be legally evaluated
- TR rejects your demand letter and you are considering litigation
- Your case involves multiple opposing parties (TR + recipient bank + money mule)
- The causation question is complex (recall timing, clearing cycles, time of crediting)
- You want to negotiate an out-of-court settlement
- The amount of the loss justifies court proceedings
- Your legal expenses insurer requires a lawyer’s opinion to confirm coverage
Our suggestion
Start with the steps you can take yourself — especially the GDPR access request. Trade Republic’s response will give you a much better basis for deciding whether a lawyer’s help is worthwhile. If you then decide to engage a lawyer, you will come to us with a considerably better starting position.
What you need to know if you proceed yourself
[ Before you begin ]You are free to use the template letters below. Before you do, we would like to explain a few risks to you. This is not meant to deter you — it is meant to enable you to make an informed decision.
Everything you write forms part of the record
Every letter you send to Trade Republic becomes part of the file — and can be used as evidence in later court proceedings, including against you. This applies in particular to your account of the facts: how you describe the course of the fraud, which details you mention, and how you portray your own role can determine whether or not a court finds you grossly negligent.
An example: If, in your demand letter, you casually mention that you had “actually already become suspicious” or that “the amount seemed unusually high” to you, Trade Republic can later use this statement to argue that you recognized warning signs but ignored them — and thus acted with gross negligence. Even a careless phrase such as “I should not have clicked on the SMS” can be interpreted as an admission.
You need to act quickly — but mistakes are hard to undo
The immediate measures (recall, account block, criminal complaint) are time-critical and should always be started immediately — with or without a lawyer. But the out-of-court demand letter does not have to go out the same day. At that point, it is worth pausing briefly and considering whether the wording could harm you in later proceedings. When in doubt: describe the facts objectively and concisely, without assessing your own role.
Deadlines and limitation periods
Certain claims are subject to deadlines. Trade Republic must respond to the GDPR access request within one month (Art. 12 Abs. 3 DSGVO). Claims for damages generally become time-barred under the general rules (§§ 195, 199 BGB) after three years. But: the period for reporting unauthorized payment transactions is only 13 months under § 676b BGB. If you miss this deadline, claims may be lost. The template letters are no substitute for keeping track of deadlines.
Liability notice
The template letters below do not constitute legal advice in an individual case. You use them at your own risk. The templates must be adapted to the circumstances of your specific case. We accept no liability for damages arising from the unmodified or incorrect use of the templates.
The three template letters
[ To copy ]Template letter 1
GDPR access request to Trade Republic
This access request is the most important first step. It compels Trade Republic to provide you with comprehensive information within one month — about your data, the security architecture, and its handling of the fraud wave. The response will form the basis for all further steps.
Note: The template letters are provided in German, as they are addressed to Trade Republic Bank GmbH in Germany. Replace all marked fields with your own details. Send the letter by email to service@traderepublic.com and additionally by registered mail. Trade Republic must respond within one month.
Template letter 2
Recall complaint
Use this letter if Trade Republic did not initiate the SEPA recall of your transfer or initiated it too late — especially if you contacted Trade Republic promptly but they could not be reached.
Important: This letter is particularly effective if you have documented the lack of availability — e.g., through screenshots of your call log, chat histories, or emails to Trade Republic with timestamps.
Template letter 3
Demand letter / damages
Use this letter after you have received the responses to the GDPR access request and the recall complaint and want to assert your claim for damages. Adapt it to the specific findings from the responses. In more complex cases, a lawyer’s support can be useful here.
Recommendation: Adapt this letter to the specific findings from the GDPR access response. Delete points that do not apply to your case (e.g., point 3 if 2FA was in place). The more precise the allegations, the more effective the letter.
Your checklist: step by step
[ Order of steps ]- Carry out the immediate measures (recall, account block, police, documentation)
- Send the GDPR access request to Trade Republic (template letter 1)
- Send the recall complaint if TR could not be reached in time (template letter 2)
- Contact your legal expenses insurer, submit a coverage inquiry
- Evaluate the response to the GDPR access request (with a lawyer’s help if necessary)
- Send the demand letter (template letter 3)
- If rejected: decide on court proceedings (we recommend seeking legal advice at this point)
- In parallel: consider a complaint to BaFin
If you need support
If you have used the template letters and would like legal support in evaluating the responses or with the further steps, you can reach us by email. Ideally, bring Trade Republic’s responses and your documentation with you.
- Firm
- JUN Legal GmbH · Würzburg
- Law firm specializing in IT law
- Hourly rate for private individuals
- €190 net (€226.10 gross)
- info@jun.legal
