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Bank card fraud: liability and criminal penalties
By Raphaël MORENON3 August 2025Bankcards 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,...
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> The practice of seizing propertyA practical, chronological and exhaustive study of the implementation of a property seizure procedure.
We put all our expertise to work to achieve a simple objective: to prevent a property seizure.
Attachment of ships: procedure, conditions, effects
In maritime law, seizure remains a measure feared by shipowners. Unlike precautionary attachment, which simply detains the vessel, execution leads to its forced sale. A complex and rigid process, it pits determined creditors against shipowners in financial difficulty. I. The concept of...Preventive seizure of ships
I. Introduction to the precautionary arrest of ships The precautionary arrest of ships is a procedure that allows a ship to be temporarily detained in port. It is a preventive measure, not a definitive sanction. Its purpose is to guarantee payment of a debt by preventing the debtor from removing his pledge. In...Getting out of joint ownership of property: licitation-sharing
An auction is a procedure for selling undivided property, even without the agreement of all the undivided co-owners. Here we look at how it works, how long it takes and how much it costs.Financial packages and indivisibility of transactions
The concept of indivisibility in financial arrangements Indivisibility allows contracts that are formally distinct but economically interdependent to be considered as a whole. It is a decisive factor in financial transaction litigation, particularly when a borrower seeks to challenge a package. Indivisibility refers to the idea that several contracts form an indivisible whole,...Bank liability for cheque anomalies: developments and limits
Cheques continue to raise pertinent legal questions in terms of banking liability. The ruling handed down by the Commercial Chamber of the French Supreme Court on 5 March 2025 clarifies the scope of banks' duty of vigilance with regard to the detection of apparent anomalies on cheques. This decision...Is it possible to foreclose on a debtor despite having a case of overindebtedness?
The principle is that seizures are suspended for the duration of the proceedings. In addition, creditors are prohibited from levying any further seizures. Some seizures cannot be suspended despite an overindebtedness file. This is the case for seizures of maintenance and property when an auction date has been set.Enforcement: how does it work?
Enforcement is a set of procedures used to force a recalcitrant debtor to fulfil his obligations.Re-bidding in property seizures (e.g. "folle enchère")
The re-bidding procedure (ex folle enchère) allows a property to be re-sold if the winning bidder fails to pay the price.What is the minimum amount for a property seizure?
The question of the minimum amount required to trigger a seizure of property is a legitimate concern for many debtors, who are often faced with real financial difficulties. The idea of losing your home for a small debt may seem disproportionate. Although the law does not set a minimum amount, the procedure is...The anatocism clause, or capitalisation of interest
The capitalisation of interest, more technically known as anatocism, is a mechanism that can have significant financial consequences on the cost of a debt in the event of late payment. The term may seem technical, but it is worth understanding how it works and what it involves, particularly in the case of mortgages. If...
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