Financial scams are legion on the Web. Before committing, certain reflexes of prudence are therefore essential. - IStock / City Presse

With the rise of online banking products, there are many scams. And many overly gullible individuals fall into increasingly sophisticated traps. Faced with this threat, the Ministry of the Economy regularly reminds us of some elementary precautions.

Too good to be true

Have you heard of a credit offer with an excessively low rate or a very long repayment term? Look at it twice before signing. Too advantageous terms, such as the fact that there is no income condition or no guarantee requested, should alert you. Most often, scammers will ask you to settle the fees quickly, sending them through an international money transfer service on the pretext of unlocking the credit. Except that you will never benefit from it.

The technique is similar when it comes to savings. Booklets are thus offered at record rates of return of up to 8%. Again, whether you have been canvassed by phone or have seen the proposal on the Internet, you will soon be asked to feed this so-called savings account to make it work.

Basic checks

Do not trust a sign resembling a known establishment and even less a well presented website. To be sure that a credit or booklet offer is real, you must verify the identity of the supposed professional. Any business in the financial sector must be registered in dedicated registers, namely that of authorized financial agents or the single register of insurance, banking and finance intermediaries. These are freely available online on the following official platforms: Regafi.fr and Orias.fr. If you can't find your direct seller, don't follow up.

For more information on financial investments or savings solutions, you can also contact the Insurance Bank Savings Bank Info Service telephone platform on 0 811 901 801. And if you have been the victim of a scam, file a complaint and contact Info Scams on the toll free number 0 805 805 817 for advice. You can also report fraud on the official Internet-signalement.gouv.fr portal.

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