Elaborate ‘fake payment’ SMS scam in France - how to protect yourself

Scammers in France have long been using fake payment text messages to steal personal details from victims, however reports suggest the scam has evolved, with scammers now visiting people’s homes.

The messages, as detailed in a previous Connexion article, claim to come from a variety of French banks such as Credit Agricole and Banque Populaire, and ask clients to confirm a fake payment. Victims are prompted to call the provided phone number to cancel the transaction, however scammers use this opportunity to trick them into revealing personal details and secret codes.

Signal-Arnaques, a platform used by members of the public to report scams, shared an alert on social media on July 22:

Read more: These phone numbers are increasingly used by scammers targeting people in France

How has the scam evolved?

Some reports suggest that once the fake phone call has ended, scammers now send accomplices pretending to work as couriers for the victim’s bank to collect the targeted credit card. 

The information used by the scammer on the potential victim, such as their home address and phone number, could be obtained in various ways, including phishing, account hacking, or data leaks.

The fake couriers knock on the victim’s door, sometimes wearing a badge or branded clothing from the relevant bank, to collect their card and possibly its PIN code.

“To gain your trust, the scammer may ask you to cut your card in half without damaging the chip. This will allow them to continue using it without your knowledge. In some cases, the fraudster may also provide you with a fake replacement card,” one bank, Société Générale, wrote on their website. 

Scammers will then be able to use the victim's financial details and card to make purchases and steal money. 

How can you tell if a text message is genuine?

If you receive a text message claiming to be from your bank, do not call the number provided in the message. Instead, call your bank directly via the official number listed in your banking app or on its official website. 

Alternatively call or visit your bank’s local branch directly, who can arrange a call to the appropriate service.

You can also check telephone numbers via an online search or with a service such as  www.numeroinconnu.fr which can show if a number has been reported as scam / suspicious by other call recipients.

Read more: Telecom security scrutinised in France after court ruling

Note that a bank will never ask you to disclose any passwords or confirmation codes, or to perform actions on your banking app to address alleged fraud on your account. 

Similarly, your bank will never ask you to disclose your PIN number or to hand your bank card to a courier sent to collect it.

What can you do if you have been scammed?

If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a bank scam, you should immediately contact your bank to block the card. You should also change your online banking password.

You can also file a complaint with the police or gendarmerie, and report the scam to SignalConso (a public service for consumers) or by text message to 33700.

Collect any evidence, including telephone numbers, screenshots of messages or emails you have received, payment statements or any other information that could be used to report the scam to the authorities.

Read more: When must a bank reimburse a customer scam victim in France?