According to the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc), 62% of French people now make online purchases—1.5 times more than 10 years ago. Half of these shoppers are aged 60-69, and nearly a third are over 70. While online shopping has surged in popularity, it isn't risk-free. Scammers can hack bank accounts for fraudulent transactions, but with proven precautions, you can shop confidently.
Before buying online, verify the site's legitimacy and security for credit card payments by checking key indicators.
Secure sites display "https://" in your browser's address bar—like "https://www.lemagdusenior.com/" for our site. Avoid sites with just "https://"; the missing "s" (for "secure") signals potential fraud. These unsecured pages can capture your password, card details, and more.
To minimize risks, stick to trusted French and European sites. Beware of deals that seem too good to be true—they often are. Also, never use your credit card on public Wi-Fi networks, like those in stations or hotels, which hackers can easily exploit.
Banks have bolstered protections against hacks with double authentication for online purchases.
At checkout, confirm a padlock icon appears in your browser's address bar—this indicates encrypted security for your details.
With double authentication enabled, you'll receive a one-time code via SMS, email, or bank app to approve the transaction. Without it, the purchase won't go through.
The gold standard is 3D Secure, which requires more than just your card number, expiry date, and CVV. Not all sites use it, so stay vigilant.
Spot fraudulent charges? Immediately contact your bank to block your card. You can also use the 24/7 interbank opposition line at 0 892 705 705.
Report the fraud via the Perceval service on service-public.fr. This helps gendarmerie investigators track down perpetrators.
