On Tuesday, January 24, Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr organized a webinar dedicated to bank fraud, in the presence of three specialists in the sector. Fraud techniques, recourse, advice… A look back at this event broadcast live on Linternaute.com.
A webinar dedicated to bank fraud was organized by Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr this Tuesday, January 24, 2023, in the presence of Laurent Verdier, Director of the Awareness Unit of the government platform for prevention and assistance to victims, Raphael Bartlomé, Deputy Director to Political Action in charge of the Legal Department of UFC-Que Choisir and Paul-Olivier Gibert, President of the French Association of Personal Data Protection Correspondents (AFCDP). On the program, a big hour of sharing, exchanges, advice, and answers to questions from Internet users who are victims of bank fraud, or who are anxious not to make a mistake.
In the preamble, the specialists wished to return to a first category of bank fraud, which can be assimilated to a “historical fraud”. In short, this means by which the attackers will recover or obtain information related to the means of payment of the victims, to make fraudulent payments or transfers.
“Since the implementation of the European directive DSP2, which has reinforced authentication measures, it has been more difficult for attackers to recover this information”, indicates Laurent Verdier. New veins have therefore been exploited, such as the fake bank adviser scam, pretending to be the latter, so as to validate certain fraudulent banking operations.
Sometimes too easily accessible to the greatest number, personal data is at the heart of the problem. For Paul-Olivier Gibert, “it’s both the weapon and the solution”. Strong authentication measures are also possible thanks to these famous data. But also to adapted behaviors.
Today, the cell phone has become much more sensitive than the wallet was twenty or thirty years ago. “However, we may not be paying enough attention to it”, regrets Paul-Olivier Gibert. Also, the possibility of expressing oneself instantly across the whole world thanks to the many digital means has changed things considerably. “We are primarily responsible. We must ensure the protection of our information”, continues the president of the AFCDP, in particular to avoid ending up in a situation of identity theft.
So how do you react properly when you are a victim of bank fraud? We must not aggravate the situation, and above all, “do not react hotly”, recommends Laurent Verdier. The fact of not being alone also plays a major role. Advice and answers are available on the Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr website to support victims. Then, it is advisable to oppose on his bank card as quickly as possible, before filing a complaint to help the investigators.
An opinion shared by Raphael Bartlomé: “Opposing your means of payment is a priority”. Thereafter, it is important to produce a writing, an email or a letter for the attention of your bank to contest potentially fraudulent transactions. The bank has 48 hours to reimburse.
The victims very often feel manipulated. A feeling that can be broken down very simply, in four steps, and in particular by playing on emotions. First, an unexpected situation, such as a text, a call, or an email. Then, the fear, for example of losing one’s money. Added to this fear is the urgency. Finally, “and as if by chance, a third party will offer to help you, it will put you in confidence”, explains Raphael Bartlomé. These are the four hallmark ingredients of bank fraud.
“It’s clearly psychological manipulation,” sums up the UFC-Que Choisir expert. To fight against this growing phenomenon, it is advisable to be vigilant as soon as you receive an email, a call, from a pseudo bank adviser or security manager, especially when the message has an anxiety-provoking or urgent character. . With a golden rule to observe in all circumstances: “Never communicate a password, a number or a unique code”, insists Laurent Verdier. In reality, no bank adviser will ask you for it over the phone or by text message. This must directly put you on the alert to avoid being trapped.
