It is a scourge that is now reaching record levels. According to a report from the JDD, out of 32.4 million checks carried out in 2022, 48,692 scams linked to the National Family Allowance Fund (Cnaf) were identified, up 11.6% over one year. These frauds are expensive for the State and represent 351 million euros, compared to 309 million in 2021. In detail, the RSA covers 60% of industrial workers, followed by the activity bonus at 13%, 12% and the disabled adult allowance at 3%.
If these figures are staggering, it is indeed fraudsters acting knowingly and not errors made by the recipients. On average, the damage amounts to 7217 euros per scam, an increase of 55 euros in one year. The scammers redouble their inventiveness to reach the jackpot: hacking of bank details, false professional activities, identity theft, phantom companies or even the creation of microenterprises.
To pin these profiteers, the Cnaf multiplies its controls and crosses its data with those of Pôle emploi or tax centers. “Our checks aim to ensure the right amount, that is to say, to pay the right amount with regard to an individual situation and to rectify errors when there are any”, underlines to the JDD Nicolas Grivel, director general. from Cnaf. In addition to online checks, the organization also accentuates those in real life. In all, 700 sworn agents have the possibility of going to the recipients’ homes. In 2022, 134,653 checks were carried out on site, i.e. 10,000 more than in 2021.
For two years, the state has also trained thirty “super-investigators” to pin down the bigwigs. They operate within the National Stakes Fraud Service and tackle damages ten times greater. These agents come from Cnaf, but also from Urssaf or taxes. In 2022, 14,000 checks were carried out, making it possible to identify 69.4 million euros of undue payment. “These phenomena of organized gang fraud are to the detriment of recipients and undermine national solidarity,” regrets Nicolas Grivel.
To stem this phenomenon, the Minister of Public Accounts, Gabriel Attal, announced at the beginning of the week a whole battery of measures. Its plan to fight against social fraud provides in particular that from July 1, “there will be no more payments of social benefits to foreign bank accounts outside the European Union”. Identified fraudsters will also pay “10% more”, from January 1, 2024, “corresponding to the administration fees”.
“Finally, I want to strengthen the residence condition to benefit from social allowances in France. Today, to benefit from family allowances or the minimum old age, you have to spend six months of the year in France, eight months to receive the APL and nine months for the RSA and the activity bonus. From now on, to receive any social assistance, you will have to reside nine months in France per year, ”said Gabriel Attal on Monday. Measures which could at least make it possible not to record a new increase in these frauds in 2023, or even in 2024.
