On Monday, May 30, the French government announced a strengthened anti-fraud plan for social benefits. The new policy focuses on tightening oversight of pensions paid to people living abroad who are no longer alive or who have not declared their status. Beneficiaries will be required to verify their identity and prove they are still living, visiting French consulates or local banks to complete the process.
fraud in France
A routine test involving a thousand retirees uncovered the scope of the issue. French Social Security payments were being sent to individuals who were believed to reside in Algeria for decades, yet many of those cases turned out to be fraudulent. The investigation revealed that more than a million pensions are still issued to people abroad, with roughly half in other European countries and the remainder in North Africa. Additional fraud concerns relate to family allowances and other social benefits reserved for residents. The system’s rules previously allowed eligibility based on residence, which created opportunities for those living elsewhere to claim subsidies meant for French residents.
The Finance Ministry outlined new requirements to justify residency. Claimants will need to show they lived in France for a minimum period, moving from the current rule of six to eight years to a longer window. The changes also target foreign nationals living in irregular situations in France. Officials noted that those without valid residence status are not entitled to social assistance. As part of the verification process, files from relevant authorities will be cross-checked to confirm residence status; when a permit expires or is revoked for public-order concerns, the claimant’s eligibility will be withdrawn. Assessments have indicated that social benefit fraud affects a substantial sum annually, highlighting the importance of robust controls and accurate residency data to protect public funds.