France
Scam and fraud reporting in France
If you've been scammed or suspect fraud in France, act quickly — Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr can help you diagnose the scam and guide you through recovery, while Pharos and Signal Conso handle official reporting to law enforcement and consumer protection.
If you have been scammed
- 1Save the phishing email, SMS, fake website URL, or payment confirmation before it disappears.
- 2If banking credentials or identity documents were exposed, contact your bank immediately and file a report on Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr.
- 3Report the scam through the appropriate official channel — Pharos for illegal internet content, Signal Conso for consumer fraud.
- 4Change passwords on any compromised accounts and enable two-factor authentication.
Think it might be a scam?
- 1Search the company or person's name plus "arnaque" to check for reports from other people.
- 2Verify any business through the official French business register at infogreffe.fr or societe.com.
- 3Contact the organisation directly using a number from their official website, not the one you were given.
- 4Check Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr alerts for current phishing campaigns and scam patterns in France.
Where to report fraud
Official reporting channels in France
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr
Get cyber assistance
French government platform for cyber-assistance — diagnose the scam type, get guided recovery steps, and find local help.
Pharos (Ministry of the Interior)
Report illegal internet content
Official French portal for reporting phishing sites, online scams, and fraudulent internet content to law enforcement.
Signal Conso (DGCCRF)
Report consumer fraud
French consumer protection reporting platform run by the DGCCRF — report fake shops, misleading advertising, and consumer rights violations.
Scam index
Scams affecting people in France
11 scams tracked
fake Airbnb support scam
Scammers impersonate Airbnb customer support via phone calls, emails, or fake help websites to steal login credentials, payment information, or trick users into making off-platform payments.
Contact Airbnb support only through the official app or airbnb.com — never through phone numbers found in Google search results.
Travelers
U.S.
fake vacation rental scam
Scammers post fake vacation rental listings using photos stolen from legitimate properties, collect full payment or deposits, then leave travelers with no accommodation upon arrival.
Book and pay only through the official platform (Airbnb, Vrbo) and never send money outside the platform.
Travelers
U.S.
currency exchange rip-off scam
Unregulated currency exchange booths and apps target summer tourists with extremely unfavorable exchange rates and hidden commissions, costing travelers 10-30% more than fair rates.
Use your bank's ATM abroad for the best exchange rates, and choose to be charged in the local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion markups.
International travelers
U.S.
restaurant menu QR code swap scam
Criminals replace legitimate QR codes on restaurant tables with fraudulent ones that lead to phishing sites disguised as menus or payment portals, harvesting customer payment data.
Ask your server for a physical menu or the restaurant's official website or app name.
Restaurant diners
U.S.
fake WiFi login QR code scam
QR codes posted in public spaces promise free WiFi access but lead to a fake login portal that captures email credentials and personal data or installs malware.
Ask staff for the official WiFi name and password rather than scanning posted QR codes.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb off-platform payment request scam
Hosts convince guests to pay outside the Airbnb platform to avoid service fees, leaving travelers with no payment protection and often no actual reservation.
Never pay for an Airbnb stay outside the Airbnb platform — the platform's payment system includes guest protection and dispute resolution.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb bait-and-switch property scam
Guests book an appealing property on Airbnb but upon arrival, the host claims an issue and moves them to a significantly inferior property with no refund option.
Contact Airbnb support immediately if a host tries to relocate you — do not accept a switch without Airbnb's involvement.
Travelers
U.S.
Airbnb damage claim extortion scam
Hosts file fraudulent damage claims against guests after checkout, submitting fake or pre-existing damage photos to collect repair fees through Airbnb's resolution center.
Photograph the entire property at check-in and check-out to have timestamped evidence of its condition.
Travelers
U.S.
hotel WiFi phishing scam
A fake hotel WiFi login page mimics the hotel's branding and asks for your room number, name, and credit card to provide internet access, stealing your payment information.
Verify the exact WiFi network name and login procedure at the front desk before connecting.
Travelers
U.S.
AI-generated news anchor scam
Scammers create fake news broadcasts using AI-generated anchors who report fabricated stories designed to promote fraudulent products, investments, or political disinformation.
Cross-reference any news clip with the official website of the network it claims to represent.
Seniors
U.S.
fake transit pass scam
Scammers sell counterfeit monthly or annual transit passes for subway, bus, or rail systems through online marketplaces and social media.
Purchase transit passes only from official transit authority websites, apps, or authorized retail locations
Commuters
U.S.
Cities
Scam reports by city in France
Other countries