The Bank of France and the Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority have issued a public warning on financial scams circulated through the internet and social media, with a particular focus on fake investments, fake loans and fake loan refinancing offers. The authorities said these schemes can cause very large losses, noting that 66% of fraud reports received by ACPR concern fake investments and 32% concern fake credit, with some victims losing several hundred thousand euros and in some cases up to EUR 1 million. One fraud case in the first half of 2026 resulted in losses of more than EUR 700,000. The warning describes a recurring pattern in which fraudsters use online and social media advertising to direct consumers to fraudulent websites, sometimes without naming any institution and sometimes by impersonating an authorized financial professional. Victims are prompted to submit personal data through contact forms and are then approached by phone or email to obtain payments and sensitive information. The two authorities also warned that fraudsters may falsely claim to represent ACPR or the Bank of France. They stressed that neither institution asks individuals to provide confidential banking data or make payments as part of their duties. Consumers are urged to protect personal data, never share banking credentials or validation codes, be cautious with unsolicited messages, verify offers on the official website of the institution concerned, check counterparties through the REGAFI and ORIAS registers, and contact their bank immediately if fraud is suspected.

Original source Back to tracker