In the morning you get: "Chronopost: your parcel couldn't be delivered, click to reschedule: bit.ly/xxxxx". Almost certainly a phishing scam.
5 most common SMS scams in 2026
1. Fake Chronopost / La Poste / DHL / UPS
"Couldn't be delivered, customs fee €2.30". They take your card and bill €80/month.
2. Fake French tax authority
"DGFiP: your €127 refund is available". DGFiP NEVER asks for bank details by SMS.
3. Fake health insurance
"Carte Vitale expired". It doesn't expire automatically.
4. Fake telecom (Orange/Free/SFR)
Telcos call or email, never urgent SMS with a link.
5. Fake bank
Banks never ask password or code by SMS.
How to verify in 30 seconds
Method 1: check the link
- Real Chronopost: chronopost.fr
- Scam: chronopost-livraison.com, bit.ly/xyz
Any link that's not the official domain = scam.
Method 2: call the official number
- Chronopost: 09 69 391 391
- DGFiP: 0 809 401 401
- Ameli: 3646
- Your bank: number on back of card
Never call the number that sent the SMS.
Method 3: report
- Forward suspicious SMS to 33700 (free)
- Mail: signal-spam.fr
- If you gave info: immediately go to police + cancel card
If you clicked
- Close the page, type nothing
- Bank details typed → call bank immediately
- Password typed → change it everywhere
- Run full antivirus scan
Cluses clients who got scammed
A Sallanches couple clicked a fake Chronopost SMS, lost €2,800 in 3 days. Bank refunded only 50%.
A 72-year-old Bonneville lady gave her health card code to a fake SMS → identity-theft attempt, 6 months of paperwork.
Anti-scam training
€50 user assistance plan at home: how to spot scam SMS/email, secure your bank card, install a password vault, enable 2FA. Great for seniors. Call +33 7 83 44 65 99.