How to use your card safely

Do not write down your PIN anywhere, or share it with anyone (not even family members);
Keep your 16-digit bank card number and expiration date in a safe place to speed up the process of blocking your card if necessary;
Always enter your PIN out of sight of others (at a store, at an ATM, or at any other payment terminal), for example, by covering the keypad with your other hand;
Never let your bank card out of your sight;
Do not enter the wrong PIN three times in a row when making a withdrawal or payment;
Do not let yourself be distracted by a third party while making a withdrawal;
Keep your card in a safe place and do not give it to anyone;
Keep your receipts (including electronic ones) and check your bank statements regularly;
Immediately report any discrepancies found on your bank statement to the bank.

Keeping your online purchases secure

Do not send confidential information in a regular email or save your login credentials, even if a pop-up window prompts you to do so;
Always check that the website where you plan to make a purchase is secure: look for a padlock icon at the top of the screen, “https” before the website’s URL in the browser, and redirection to your bank’s website during checkout;
Be on the lookout for “phishing” attempts via email: these emails often contain spelling errors and ask you to provide sensitive information;
Carefully check your bank statements so you can report any discrepancies to your bank;
Choose your retailer carefully by verifying their contact information (address, phone number, customer service contact), read their terms and conditions, and contact them if you have any questions;
Be sure to log out and clear your browser history.

The dynamic security code is a simple and innovative solution to combat fraud and protect your credit card from online hacking. How does it work? As you know if you’re familiar with online shopping, you’re often asked to provide the last three digits printed on the back of your card to verify your identity. With the dynamic security code, a display— powered by a mini-battery built into the card — generates a new 3-digit security code at regular intervals.

Did you know?

Travelling abroad: recommended precautions

Before you leave
- Be sure to check the expiry date, spending limits, and the numbers for your bank and the card cancellation centre. If necessary, ask your bank for an early renewal of your card and/or an increase — even a temporary one — in your withdrawal and payment limits;
- Make sure your card is accepted in the country you’re visiting.
When making a withdrawal
- Be on the lookout for any suspicious devices on the ATM. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to make a withdrawal elsewhere;
- Enter your PIN out of sight and never let yourself be distracted by others;
- Keep your receipts.
When making a payment
- Always keep an eye on your card. Do not let your card out of your sight during transactions;
- Enter your code discreetly; it is confidential and should not be written down anywhere. No one — not banks, law enforcement, or insurance companies — is authorised to ask you for it;
- Keep your receipts.
When you return

Check your account statements and report any discrepancies to your bank in writing as soon as possible.

“The law has established a framework for cases involving the loss or theft of bank cards, as well as the consequences of a cardholder’s request to block the card. Article L133-19 (amended by Order No. 2017-1252 of 9 August 2017—Art. 2) of the Monetary and Financial Code provides: “In the event of an unauthorised payment transaction resulting from the loss or theft of the payment instrument, the payer shall bear, prior to the notification provided for in Article L133-17, the losses resulting from the use of that payment instrument, up to a maximum of €50. However, the payer is not liable in the event of an unauthorised payment transaction carried out without the use of the personalised security feature".

In the event of loss or theft of the bank card, a maximum deductible of €50 applies to amounts charged prior to the date the card is blocked, unless those transactions were made without the PIN (particularly for contactless payments).

Immediately block lost or stolen cards by calling your bank’s card cancellation centre or, if that’s not possible, 0892 705 705, which will direct you to your bank’s card cancellation centre (0.35 euros/minute, available 24/7).
Confirm that you want to block the lost or stolen card in writing to your bank immediately, following the procedures specified by the bank (regular letter, certified letter with acknowledgement of receipt). The Perceval platform allows you to report fraudulent use of your bank card to law enforcement online: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R46526.

Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr is dedicated to assisting individuals, businesses, organisations, local governments, and government agencies that have fallen victim to cyberattacks, and to informing them about digital threats and how to protect themselves: https://www.cybermalveillance.gouv.fr/

When planning a trip abroad, it is advisable to ask your bank for the phone number you’ll need to report your card lost or stolen while you’re away.

Retailers: tips for offering your customers secure credit card payments

To ensure secure payments at the point of sale
1. To provide the user with optimal security: position the keypad so that the PIN can be entered away from prying eyes;
2. Keep payment receipts in a safe place for fifteen months;
3. Raise awareness among customer-facing staff by regularly reminding them to perform visual inspections of bank cards.
To make online shopping safer
1. Ask the cardholder for the last three digits of the number on the signature panel on the back of their card: this additional security feature is called the security code;
2. To protect the confidentiality of the card information provided by the cardholder during an online purchase. For example, when making a purchase over the phone, the verbal confirmation — which involves repeating the information provided by the cardholder — must be done discreetly.

How to use your card safely

A few rules to follow to use your bank card safely

Keeping your online purchases secure

Travelling abroad: recommended precautions

Before you leave

When making a withdrawal

When making a payment

When you return

What should you do if your bank card is lost or stolen?

What does the law say?

What steps should I take?

DIgital risk support and prevention for the public

When planning a trip abroad, it is advisable to ask your bank for the phone number you’ll need to report your card lost or stolen while you’re away.

Retailers: tips for offering your customers secure credit card payments

To ensure secure payments at the point of sale

To make online shopping safer

See also

Data security

Payment security

Understanding the CB card