Over the years, scammers have developed many dreadful techniques to scam you over the phone. It is not just about classic cold calling, since your interlocutor is actually there to fleece you. And their system is finely tuned enough for many French people to fall into the trap, and see their accounts emptied of several hundred euros.
These fraudulent practices are obviously condemned by law, but it is sometimes difficult to be reimbursed for the stolen money. Citing careless error or lack of vigilance on your part, insurance companies and banks will likely deny you help if you get caught.
You must therefore be extra vigilant when making your phone calls.
According to aide-sociale.fr, there are four types of telephone scams:
This last scam is particularly fashionable at the moment, specifies France 3. Because the bandits even find a way to call you so that the real number of your bank is displayed on your mobile. You are then confident, and the scam can go off without a hitch.
Luckily, this fake banker scam can be spotted within seconds, at the start of the call. France 3 collected the testimony of several victims. All ensure that their interlocutor introduced himself as follows: “Hello, I am the director/anti-fraud agent of your bank”.
The individual then mentions “suspicious movements” on your account, and assures you that he will solve the problem, but here it is: for that, he needs your confidential bank details.
If you find yourself in this situation, above all, do not give any information! If it is really your bank, it will not need to ask you for such data, it will just do a simple identity check by asking you, for example, to confirm your date of birth or your address.
To report SMS spam or voice spam, send a message to 33700, the official platform for combating telephone fraud, with the number of your correspondent preceded by “spamvocal”. If it is a fraudulent SMS, all you have to do is forward it to the same number.
