Check fraud is on the rise in France and was the most fraudulent payment method in 2020, the Banque de France has warned, urging it to step up security and offer advice on how to avoid it.
The central bank is strengthening the security of bank checks after the number of fraudulent checks increased by 20% in 2020, according to the latest annual report from the Observatory for the Security of Payment Means (OSPM).
Check fraud amounted to 538 million euros (42%), compared to 473 million euros (34%) for bank card fraud and 267 million euros for online transfers (21% ).
Fraud levels are the highest of all payment types, at 0.088%. This means that for €10,000 paid, €8.80 is fraudulent. Check fraud is also the only method to have increased significantly over the past year.
In response, the Banque de France called on banks to “reinforce the monitoring of fraudulent cheques”, in particular by:
– Improving the fight against lost and stolen checks.
– Reinforce the security of delivery of checkbooks.
– Improve the quality of opposition proceedings.
– Sharing more tools for checking checks.
– Maintaining vigilance over the physical characteristics of checks in order to “limit the risks of forgery and counterfeiting”.
The central bank also offered guidance to individuals on how to increase check security. She advises:
– Write with a permanent black ballpoint pen or other permanent pen or marker.
– Fill in all the mandatory information (amount in words and figures, order, signature and date and place of issue).
– Draw horizontal lines after your writing so as not to leave any free space on the order or the amount.
– Avoid any deletion or overwriting that could invalidate the check.
– If you’re sending a check by mail, tell the recipient ahead of time and ask them to tell you when they received it. If he does not receive it, contact your bank to inform him and warn him of a possible risk of fraud.
For added security and to prevent check fraud, you can also affix a piece of transparent tape to the parts of the check showing the amount and the name of the recipient, to avoid the possibility of any changes after you have completed it.
– Do not lend your checks to anyone, not even your family.
– Keep them in a safe place, if possible separately from your identity papers, specifies the Banque de France.
– Do not sign checks in advance or leave them blank.
– Withdraw new checkbooks directly from your bank branch rather than by mail.
If you find that your check or check book has been lost or stolen, you should immediately contact your bank via its emergency number, or online, and stop all payments from this book.
In the event of theft, fraud or check fraud, you must also lodge a complaint with the gendarmerie or the police station, and you may be required to send a registered letter to your bank confirming that you wish to object. Oppositions are recorded in the national file of irregular checks (FNCI).
– When you are paid by check, make sure that all mandatory information is accurate and consistent with what you know of the payer.
– Cash the check as soon as possible.
– Do not accept or cash checks that do not correspond to what has been agreed, such as the amount.
– Never agree to cash a check on behalf of someone else.
The Banque de France warns: “It is illegal and very dangerous because fraudulent checks will be rejected after a few days. You can unknowingly become an accomplice to fraud and find yourself exposed. »