According to a study conducted with the independent polling firm Selvitys, bank fraud amounts, in 2023, to 4,200 euros on average. While bank fraud is a growing threat for individuals and professionals, fake IBAN scams are characterized by their sophistication. Faced with this alarming situation, French MPs recently adopted the creation of a Fraudulent IBAN File: an initiative aimed at strengthening the fight against these frauds.
To find our surveys conducted with the Selvitys polling firm, download our anti-fraud study !
The March 31, 2025, the National Assembly voted unanimously in favor of the establishment of a centralized file listing fraudulent bank account numbers (IBAN), also called Fraudulent IBAN File.
This measure, proposed by Deputy Daniel Labaronne, is based on the national register of irregular cheques already in place. The main objective is to enable financial institutions to quickly identify and block suspicious transactions. The aim is to limit financial losses for victims.
La Bank of France will be responsible for managing this file, in collaboration with banking institutions, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, as well as the Public treasury.
Find our exclusive interview with Julien Lasalle, Deputy Director of Studies and Payment Supervision at the Banque de France !
Recent statistics highlight the extent of the problem of fraudulent IBAN fraud.
In 2023, the Payment fraud caused a total damage of 1.195 billion euros. This harm affects individuals as well as professionals. Among these losses, nearly 150 million euros are attributed to fake IBAN scams, representing approximately 48% of bank transfer fraud.
For comparison, the Cheque fraud caused losses of 364 million euros.
These figures illustrate the persistence of vulnerabilities in money transfer systems, despite the security efforts already undertaken.
To learn more about the dangers of bank fraud, read on: Bank fraud: what are the risks and consequences?
Fraudulent IBAN fraud, also called fake RIB scam, is based on manipulation of bank transactions.
Scammers hack emails or intercept communications between a creditor and debtor to discreetly change the bank details on an invoice or quotation. It is falsification of documents, commonly known as document fraud.
Thus, instead of paying the money to the legitimate beneficiary, the debtor transfers money to a fraudulent account.
The creation of the national fraudulent IBAN file represents a significant advance in the fight against banking scams. However, to maximize its effectiveness, it is essential to combine it with anti-fraud solutions.
Do you need more information on the requirements to be respected in the banking sector? What are the legal obligations in anti-fraud banking compliance?
To meet business security requirements, Finovox implements rigorous technical measures. Our solution allows you to analyze all types of digital documents (RIB, account statements, pay slips, ID receipts, certificates, etc.) of Any country And in Any language !
In addition, Finovox collaborates with teams based in France and is committed to process documents in accordance with European standards : without document storage.
By adopting an approach that combines advanced technology and human vigilance, it is possible to significantly reduce the impact of fake IBAN fraud and thus strengthen trust in payment systems.
Do you want to know more about the solution offered by Finovox? Ask one of our experts for information. They will be happy to help you.
