By January 9, all banks in France will have to offer free instant transfers. A measure welcomed by many consumers, but which also raises fears about the increased risks of fraud.
Universal free for a practical service
Instant transfer, available in many banks for a fee, becomes free for everyone from January 9, 2025. This decision is part of a review of the European regulation on instant bank transfers, aligning this service with free traditional transfers.
Accessible to individuals and businesses, this advancement democratizes a banking solution prized for its speed and simplicity. In just a few seconds, an amount is transferred between bank accounts, facilitating many transactions, especially in urgent situations.
However, this innovation comes with a downside, according to the community platform Signal-Arnaques, specializing in the prevention of scams. In a message published on X (formerly Twitter), she warns against systematic use of this type of transfer, citing significant risks linked to their irrevocable nature.
As the Banque de France explains, an instant transfer cannot be canceled once executed. Unlike traditional transfers, which are often reversible under certain conditions, funds sent via this method are immediately released and almost impossible to recover in the event of a problem.
Increased risk in the event of error or fraud
« The instantaneous nature of payments requires additional security », underlines Clément Bourgeois, expert at the Banque de France, in an interview with Signal-Arnaques. This irrevocable nature complicates procedures in the event of an entry error or fraud, particularly if the funds are transferred to a fraudulent account.
In the absence of a legal obligation to reimburse, banks are not responsible for errors made by their customers, except in the event of a proven technical problem. They can, however, provide certain information to initiate legal proceedings, a long and uncertain process.
To limit the risks, Signal-Arnaques recommends using instant transfers only for trusted transactions, particularly between close friends or for already known accounts. This caution is essential to avoid irreversible financial losses.
If free instant transfers represent an undeniable step forward for users, it requires increased vigilance in the face of the risks of fraud and error. The use of this service must be governed by increased consumer awareness of good practices. Banks, for their part, could play a key role in strengthening the security of transactions and offering alternatives to remedy errors.
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