People were duped into sending a partial or full payment to a third-party agent via a wire transfer payment service and to fax their payment receipt to the seller as proof of payment.

FORBES: Where Americans Lost Money Online

The Act demands that organisations it dubs Communication Service Providers (CSP) - broadly anyone that helps people keep in touch via the web, fax machine or phone - install technology that can automatically monitor what many of their customers are doing.

BBC: Switch on for state snooping

The decision, which allows impacted users to file compensatory claims, stems from a 2008 - 2009 incident in which a private German citizen incurred a loss of phone, fax and internet service over a two month period.

ENGADGET: In Germany, internet service providers pay you! (for loss of service)