A risk-free savings account, with a rate of return of 3, 4 or 5% or more, no ceiling and funds available at any time.
The offer made salivate, too even.
This is probably a scam.
At the end of 2020, the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR), policeman of the banking sector, added more than sixty email addresses and malicious websites to its “blacklist”.
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"We have seen an upsurge in fraudulent entities since the beginning of last year with the health crisis and record savings for the French," said Caroline de Hubsch Goldberg, of the ACPR's Commercial Practices Control Department.
Here are some tips for spotting and avoiding a scam.
Dubious telephone canvassing
It is an old but effective technique, widely used by crooks especially on the elderly.
Never will a bank or an organization approved to offer savings accounts call you on your landline to sell its product.
“There, the traffickers unroll a commercial speech, well oiled and without false note.
In general, it is too good to be true!
», Warns Caroline de Hubsch Goldberg.
Write down the phone number and especially the name of the company.
"Then check for yourself on the Internet for example that it exists", underlines the expert.
Beware of tempting advertisements
You browse the Internet and a window opens where sponsored content appears on your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed with a message guaranteeing profitability above market rates
(Editor's note: 0.5% livret A and LDDS, 1% LEP)
, do not click on it!
Otherwise, you will arrive on a fraudulent site where you will be asked for personal information (name, address, phone, email ...) that will allow scammers to canvass you directly.
Or even, a portal like www.creditfiable.fr, www.credit-finance.fr or even www.livret-depargne.com to allow you to deposit money in three clicks.
Check "cloned" email addresses and websites
"Be very careful with the URLs of the sites", insists Caroline of Hubsch Goldberg.
(Illustration) LP / Aurélie Audureau Aurélie AUDUREAU
More and more crooks are using data or logos from official organizations or institutions, such as those of the Banque de France or the ACPR.
Some even go so far as to create email addresses or sites that look like officials.
Like www.banco-stander.com resembling the Spanish bank Banco Santander, or bnpparibas@gmail.com, officialbnpparibas@yahoo.com ... "No bank uses a Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail address!"
Once again, be very careful with the URLs of the sites, insists Caroline de Hubsch Goldberg.
And make a counter-appeal to the bank's official headquarters.
"
Never make a transfer abroad
Imagine, you are approached by a so-called German or Spanish bank.
And, to put money in the passbook, she asks you to make a transfer immediately to an account based in another country.
This is a new sign of scam.
“A European bank has the right to offer its products to citizens of EU member states.
On the other hand, it will not ask for a transfer, and even less to an account in another foreign country, launches Caroline de Hubsch Golberg.
You really have to keep your critical mind and take the time to check it out.
"
Ask your bank
The moment you are approached or seduced by an offer, contact your advisor, or consult the famous "black list" of the ACPR, which is updated regularly.
When the rates of return offered are higher than the market, even without being extravagant (7, 8 or 9%), it seems very likely that the passbook is fraudulent.
“There is no strong profitability, without risk taking, that does not exist, underlines Caroline de Hubsch Goldberg.
Otherwise, the banks themselves would offer higher rates ... ”If you fall into the trap anyway, file a complaint, quickly contact INFO ESCROQUERIE on 0 805 805 817 or file a report on www.internet-signalalement.gouv. Fr.
