By Raphaël MORENON
3 August 2025
Bankcards have become the preferred means of payment in France, but with their popularity comes increased exposure to the risk of fraud. Faced with this reality, the legislator has put in place a precise legal framework to apportion responsibilities between the cardholder, his or her bank and merchants. Understanding this system is essential for all card users, as it defines the rights and obligations of each party in the event of an incident. The aim of this article is to detail the different types of fraud, the criminal penalties incurred by fraudsters and, above all, the division of financial responsibilities in the event of loss, theft or fraudulent use of your card. We will also look at complex situations such as bogus bank adviser scams, to give you a complete picture of the protection available. While the general framework for payment cards is based on a contract between you and your bank,...