Bank: customers reimbursed less and less in the event of fraud, UFC-Que Choisir alert - France 24

Paris (AFP)

Nearly a third of victims of fraud have not been reimbursed by their banking establishment over the past twelve months, a figure that is increasing despite more protective regulations for consumers, the UFC-Que Choisir association alerted Thursday.

In total, 30% of victims of fraud have not been reimbursed this year, shows a survey carried out by the consumer defense association, against 26% the previous year or against 20% according to a figure from the Ministry of Interior released at the time.

This survey was carried out between September 2 and 9 among 1,535 consumers who were victims of fraud over the past twelve months and who subscribed to the UFC-Que Choisir newsletter.

For Matthieu Robin, responsible for the financial sector for UFC-Que Choisir, interviewed by AFP, this decrease in reimbursements is all the more worrying "knowing that the legal framework is greatly improved for consumers who are victims of fraud today. hui ".

Since September 14, 2019, the use of single-use codes as a means of authentication on the internet is no longer considered sufficient and the victim can no longer be accused of negligence, the only reason allowing banks to be exempt from reimbursement. of fraud.

From now on, a password or a digital recognition system must be used, and according to UFC-Que Choisir, only 46% of consumers are equipped with a "strong authentication device".

"Banks are late in securing remote transactions", pointed out the association in a statement, which denounces "maneuvers to escape their obligation to reimburse the sums due to the victims".

Asked by AFP, the French Banking Federation swept aside the accusations by explaining that once the fraud was revealed by the customer, "each bank then organizes itself to assess the situation, depending on the circumstances and the type of fraud, and ensure the treatment".

These frauds, which mainly concern contactless payments and online payments, could increase by 20% this year and reach 600 million euros, driven by the confinement which has led to increased use of these means of payment.

All the more so since the ceiling for contactless payment has been raised to 50 euros and even the opposition of the card does not allow this payment system to be blocked, as long as the ceiling is not reached, that is, ie up to 150 euros cumulated or five transactions.

© 2020 AFP