Have you received a message asking you to replace your cardboard license with the new format, under penalty of paying a fine? Don’t panic, this is a phishing attempt. The new format will not be mandatory before… 2033!
Online savings and credits, false unpaid fine, retirement, Netflix, vital card, taxes… Scammers are not lacking in imagination when it comes to extracting money! The latest scam, as an alert UFC-Que Choisir, concerns an email and SMS campaign asking victims to exchange their driving license as quickly as possible – the one in pink cardboard – for the new model – which is the size of a credit card. In reality, this is just another way to steal your personal and banking data, exposing you to future phishing campaigns, theft of your money, and even identity theft – in asking you for a copy of your licence. Remember that you should only apply for a new permit in the event of damage, loss or theft.
Driving license scam: no need to change!
Since 2013, the driving license in pink cardboard version has been replaced by a new format, subject to European standards. As a result, it now takes the form of a plasticized credit card incorporating a chip and an MRZ strip (Machine-Readable Zone), which make it less susceptible to fraud. The new scam plays on this transition and tells the victim that they must change their old driving license as soon as possible for the new version, otherwise they risk having to pay a fine.
However, on the website of the Ministry of the Interior, we can read that “The cardboard pink driving license remains valid until January 19, 2033. You do not have to request its replacement. You must request a new license only in the event of damage, loss or theft.” There is therefore no urgency, especially since the terms of replacement by the due date are not known at this time. To carry out any procedure related to your driving license (application, renewal, file follow-up, update of information, etc.), you must go to the website of the National Agency for Secure Documents (ANTS).
Remember, if you are ever the target of an online or SMS scam, immediately forward the message to 33 700, a platform specializing in reporting scams. You can also report these fraudulent messages to the site internet-signalement.gouv.fr. Then block the sender’s number to stop being bothered.