Checks in France decline further

On September 9, the Banque de France released its 2025 report from the Payment Observatory, showing that check use in France continued to fall. Citizens made 674 million check payments in 2025, a 14 percent drop from the previous year. Checks now make up 1.9 percent of all scriptural transactions by number, with a 16 percent drop in the value of check transactions and a 46 percent decrease since 2020.

Checks still a target for fraud

Despite the overall decline, checks remain a significant target for fraud, accounting for 18.5 percent of payment fraud by value. Transfers and cards are also common targets, at 39.1 percent and 34.9 percent respectively. The amount of check fraud decreased by 16 percent in one year, to 229 million euros.

Fraud prevention efforts show progress

The Payment Security Observatory (OSMP), led by Denis Beau, the first deputy governor of the Banque de France, reported that 41 percent of fraudulent deposits were neutralized in 2025, preventing 158 million euros in fraud. After subtracting these prevented cases, the fraud rate remains stable at 69 euros per 100,000 euros.

Checks remain the most vulnerable payment method

The OSMP notes that checks have the highest fraud rate among payment methods, while card fraud has dropped to 47 euros per 100,000 euros, the lowest in history. Card fraud decreased by 8.6 percent, to 475 million euros. These improvements are attributed to action plans implemented since 2021, which also changed how check fraud is measured.

Common check fraud methods

According to the new measurement method, lost or stolen checks remain the main way fraud occurs, accounting for 62 percent of fraudulent amounts in 2025. Counterfeiting is the second most common method, at 19 percent. The OSMP warns that the distribution of checkbooks is a major weakness and urges the industry to improve postal security and simplify procedures for contesting checks.

Scriptural payments grow in use

Scriptural payments, which include direct transfers and digital transactions, continue to rise. Their number increased by 5.5 percent and their total value by 4.2 percent in 2025. Cards are the preferred payment method, making up 62.7 percent of transactions, while mobile payments now account for over 19 percent of proximity card payments.

Fraud growth slows but shifts in type

Overall fraud is increasing more slowly than the volume of transactions, with the annual amount rising by 3.8 percent to 1.241 billion euros. However, the number of fraudulent operations fell by 7.6 percent to 7.2 million. Fraud by manipulation, where victims are tricked into approving transactions, is rising rapidly, reaching 516 million euros, a 34 percent increase.

Checks decline in government payments

Checks are also losing ground in payments to the government. Since March 2026, companies and professionals can no longer pay taxes by check. For individuals, checks are still allowed in some cases, but electronic payments are required for amounts over 300 euros. Senator Serge Mérillou has raised a question about the planned closure of two check processing centers by 2027, but a response from the government is still pending.

Rules for merchants and check validity

Merchants can refuse checks or set limits on the amounts, but they must inform customers clearly, as outlined on the Service-Public.fr website. A check can be presented for payment within one year and eight days of its issue date.