2024-01-16 08:08:45
Their number remains lower than in 2019, but it is still increasing. In 2023, 121,617 overindebtedness files were submitted to the Banque de France. That is 8% more than in 2022. To provide assistance to all people facing financial difficulties, the institution set up a single call number in October 2022: 34.14. A tool that is all the more useful as it has replaced the 200 telephone numbers in force in France! “There were one or two different numbers for each branch in the departments,” notes Mark Béguery, director of personal services at the Banque de France.
Today, 34.14 is accessible to all audiences (in addition to reception at counters or by mail), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the price of a local call. “In 2023, we received 1.157 million calls, which is in line with our forecasts,” underlines the expert. Nearly 40% concerns over-indebtedness, the rest (50%) relates to payment incidents and bank account rights. Between 5 and 10% come from business leaders regarding their rating or for credit mediation, for example. »
Combating preconceived ideas about over-indebtedness
More than 80,000 calls raised questions such as “My card has been hacked”, “The bank has closed my account, does it have the right to do so?” “, or “I had a call from someone who claims to be from the Bank of France, is that you?” » Because identity theft remains a common scourge. “Individuals who contact us benefit from a general information service: we explain their rights and possible recourse, but we do not have the power to mediate,” recalls Mark Béguery.
For those whose budget is extremely fragile and unable to pay their debts, the establishment invites them not to be afraid to file an over-indebtedness file, recalling that there are many preconceived ideas on the subject: “ You can submit a file with 2,000 euros of debt, or several hundred thousand, there is no income ceiling to report,” insists the professional. Furthermore, the deposit leads to the triggering of protective measures (freezing of payments, suspension of credit interest, etc.) which “bring a big breath of fresh air” to the person, while waiting to find solutions which are generally formulated in “ three or four months.
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