Their total amount was 3.3 billion euros in 2024, according to the last barometer of the UFC-Que Choisir consumption observatory.
The phenomenon of online scams is massive since 15 % of French people say they have suffered one in 2024.
E-mails, for 15 %, websites (14 %), social networks (11 %) and SMS (10 %) are the favorite game fields.
Increasingly sophisticated practices
No one is immune, as the techniques of scams have sophisticated. The e-mails of sextrusions (extortion of money by performing a sexual blackmail), at the beginning full of spelling mistakes, became extremely realistic, capable of reproducing exactly the terms of public administrations.
Artificial intelligence (AI) dops the capacities of scammers. Hacks (or phishing), fraud to the false banking advisor, false technical support, spam, account hacking, ransomiciel, identity theft, etc. The government site Cybermalveillance describes a number of practices in constant evolution.
Do not click
Do you receive a fine of e-mail asking you to open an attachment? An SMS of a delivery man inviting you to click on a link to recover a package? Do not click.
Beware of any untimely action, especially if you are asked to act quickly. The crooks are counting on this feeling of urgency to blur your judgment.
Take the time, on the contrary, to check if it is indeed possible that you have committed speeding or if you expect a package.
Take the time to check the link sent by going to the organization concerned. Or take the time to run a diagnosis Cyber17 via Cybermalveillance.
And remember that no administration, whether it is the public treasury, the automated offenses for offenses (Antai) or even health insurance, will never send you SMS.
Mistrust, mistrust
If a banking advisor calls you or uses your bank number without having any request, do not take the call, and recall your bank.
Beware of 06 or 07 that you do not know. Also beware of sponsored sites that reach the lead during a request on a search engine.
Finally beware of public Wi-Fi networks (stations, airports, restaurants) and do no sensitive operation (shopping payment or bank account consultation) by connecting to it.
Secure your tools
Whether it’s your computer, smartphone or tablet, secure your passwords. Using Dashlane or 1Password, you can generate robust passwords that regenerate randomly.
Install updates to your apps and operating systems; They often include security fixes.
You can complete these precautions by installing an antivirus that you will take care to download directly from the editor’s website.
Finally, remember to save your most precious files (photos, texts) or the most sensitive on an external disk, in a cloud space or thanks to a digital safe.
