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Right of access to payment incident and FICOM files
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Right of access to the IEDOM files on payment incidents
Managing your finances can sometimes be complicated, especially when you have payment incidents. Being ‘fiché Banque de France’ (registered with the Banque de France) or ‘interdit bancaire’ (banned from banking) are worrying terms.
The French law provides you the right to access the information about you contained in the payment incident files kept by the Banque de France. In the French overseas departments and territories, you can exercise this right by contacting the IEDOM.
These files contain information on unpaid cheques, late credit repayments and bank card withdrawals. These payment incidents are reported by the banks that recorded them.
To consult
Download the documents about payment incident files.How can I access the information contained in the payment incident files ?
The law gives you the right to access information about yourself in the payment incident files. To exercise this right, you can contact the IEDOM in a number of ways :
- Online : Use the Banque de France’s online service for greater speed and simplicity.
- By post : Send your written request to your local IEDOM office.
- Over the counter : Go directly to one of our offices.
Once your request has been processed, you will receive a list of all the incidents registered in your name and the names of the banks that reported them.
To ensure that your request is processed, please remember to enclose a copy of both sides of your identity card showing your place of birth. The right of access is strictly personal, and except in the case of a mandate (power of attorney), the information cannot be communicated to another person..
How to be removed from the various payment incident files ?
There are a number of situations that can lead you to be registered in one of the payment incident files. Each situation has a specific procedure for removal from the register.
Central Cheque Register (fichier central des chèques — FCC)
What are the reasons for being registered in the FCC?
The FCC records payment incidents involving cheques and bank card withdrawals. You can be registered in the FCC :
- If you have issued one or more bounced cheques ;
- If you are subject to a court-ordered ban on writing cheques ;
- If you have had your bank card cancelled due to an incident involving its use.
What are the consequences ?
Registration in the Central Cheque Register has a number of consequences :
- You are banned from writing cheques. Your bank will inform you by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt that this ban applies to all your accounts, including those opened with other banks.
- You must return all chequebooks in your possession. This prohibition will remain in force until you have regularised your situation and may last up to five years.
How to be removed from the FCC ?
If you have an unpaid cheque
If you have an unpaid cheque, there are several ways to get out of the FCC (Fichier central des chèques) :
- Top up your account : Put enough money in your account and ask the recipient of the cheque to deposit it again. Keep an eye on your bank statement and, once the cheque has been debited, inform your bank that the outstanding amount has been paid.
- Pay the payee directly : Pay the payee in person (e.g. in cash) and collect the unpaid cheque. Return the cheque to your bank as proof of payment.
- Block the amount at your bank : Pay the amount of the cheque to your bank and ask them to block the funds for one year. If the cheque is not presented again within this period, the amount will be returned to you.
Once all your bounced cheques have been settled, your bank will ask the Banque de France to remove you from the FCC. This must be done within 4 working days.
If your cheques are not settled, the incidents will be automatically removed after five years.
In case of card withdrawal
To be removed from the Central Cheque Register (FCC) following a card withdrawal, follow these steps :
- Contact your bank to discuss how to deal with incidents relating to the use of your card.
- Pay the amount of the incident according to the terms agreed with your bank.
- Ask your bank to report the adjustment to the Banque de France so that you can be removed from the FCC once the incidents have been resolved. Be sure to make this request in writing to keep a record of your request.
- Check with your bank that the Banque de France has been notified of the adjustment
If you do not regularise the situation within the allotted time, you may be placed on the FCC for up to two years. Please note that even if your bank card is withdrawn, you will still be able to write cheques.
National Register of Personal Loan Repayment Incidents (fichier national des incidents de remboursement de crédits aux particuliers — FICP)
What are the reasons for being registered in the FICP ?
The FICP records payment incidents on credit granted to individuals. You may be registered with the FICP for the following reasons :
- You are in arrears with the repayment of a loan ;
- You have filed an application for over-indebtedness and it is currently being examined or final measures have already been taken.
What are the consequences ?
If you are registered on the National Register of Personal Loan Repayment Incidents (FICP), this will have a significant impact on your ability to borrow. This registration can last up to 5 years, or even 7 years if you are referred to an over-indebtedness commission. Although this does not formally prohibit you from taking out new credit, it will just have a significant impact on your image with financial institutions. Banks and other lenders systematically consult the FICP before granting credit. Your FICP status is a key factor in assessing your creditworthiness, i.e. your ability to repay the loan you are applying for.
How can I be removed from the FICP ?
In case of late repayment of a loan
You can be removed from the FICP if you are late in repaying a loan :
- You must pay all amounts due. This includes :
- The principal amount of the payment incident that led to your registration.
- Any subsequent payment incident relating to the same loan.
- The interest and penalties specified in the credit agreement.
- Ask to be removed from the FICP, once all outstanding debts have been repaid. Your credit institution must then inform the Banque de France that your situation has been regularised. The bank will then remove you from the register. Your bank must do this within 4 working days. This period is extended to 7 working days when a credit incident is settled through by a bailiff or debt collection agency.
Please note that the costs incurred by the bank in order to obtain repayment (legal proceedings, sending letters, reminders, etc.) are not considered as amounts due under the credit agreement. They do not have to be paid in order to be removed from the FICP.
If the event of referral to an over-indebtedness commission
You have two main options to get out of the FICP :
- You can pay all your debts to your creditors at any time if you are able to do so. Then ask them to provide you with certificates of payment, which you can present to the Bank of France to prove that you have settled your debts. The Banque de France can then remove you from the register.
- Your entry in the FICP can be deleted after five years, provided that there have been no payment incidents during the first five years of your agreed plan or the imposed measure.
The National file for irregular cheques (fichier national des chèques irréguliers — FNCI)
What are the reasons for being registered in the FNCI ?
The FNCI is a register designed to combat cheque fraud.
It helps detect the use of fraudulent cheques by centralising the following banking information :
- Accounts subject to a banking ban ;
- Accounts subject to a stop payment order for lost or stolen cheques ;
- Accounts linked to counterfeit cheques.
What are the consequences ?
The FNCI is consulted by merchants subscribing to the FNCI/VERIFIANCE service to the validity of cheques presented in payment for goods or services (note that this does not give them access to any personal data).
Based on the information returned by FNCI/VERIFIANCE, the merchant may refuse payment by cheque and require an alternative method of payment (e.g. card or cash).
How to correct inaccurate or outdated information ?
If any of the information concerning you is incorrect, you may request its correction. This may include errors in your marital status, incorrect amounts or dates. You should contact the institution that issued the alert and provide proof of the error (bank statement, letter, etc.). If necessary, IEDOM can help you with this process.
Are you registered for events for which you are not responsible ?
If you are wrongly registered, in case of identity theft, here are the steps to follow :
1 File a complaint and report the impersonation immediately to the police or gendarmerie, or online on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
You can also make a report on Pharos, an official portal dedicated for reporting illegal content on the internet.
2 2Inform all your banks of the situation so that they can protect your accounts..
3Check for the existence of other fraudulent accounts by asking the CNIL for a list of accounts opened in your name via the Ficoba file or FICOM.
4Report the incident to IEDOM for advice on correcting the inaccurate information.
In other cases, you can contact the IEDOM office in your area to report the incident. It will be able to advise you on the steps to take.
Do you disagree with your bank’s decision ?
IEDOM only registers a file in the case of over-indebtedness and all other banking incidents are the responsibility of the reporting bank.
If you have a dispute with your bank :
- The first step is to contact the bank responsible for the declaration. Try to resolve the problem directly with the bank. For example, you could contact their complaints department.
- If this does not work, you can contact the banking mediator. You can find their name and contact details at the bottom of your bank statements or on your bank’s website. When contacting the mediator, make sure you send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, keep your original documents, clearly state the subject of your complaint and the name of the bank concerned, and include the steps you have already taken (copies of conversations with the various people you have contacted) and any documents that may be useful in resolving your dispute.
- If you are not satisfied with the mediator’s response, you can always take the matter to court..
For more information, please contact your nearest IEDOM office. IEDOM is there to help you with all your financial affairs..
Select your place of residence to find the address of your IEDOM branch.
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The special case of the Overseas Accounts File (Fichier des comptes d’outre-mer — FICOM)
What is FICOM and what are its missions ?
The FICOM is a file managed by IEDOM and IEOM, which are mandated by the State to centralise information on bank accounts opened in Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna. FICOM, the equivalent of the FICOBA file used in mainland France, centralises the opening, closing or modification of accounts on which cheques can be drawn, the opening and closing of regulated savings products and the opening, closing or modification of safe-deposit box rentals. Banks in these areas are required to send this information to IEDOM.
FICOM’s other tasks
- FNCI registration : The FNCI is responsible for registering in the National Register of Irregular Cheques (fichier national des chèques irréguliers — FNCI) the accounts of persons who have been banned from writing cheques by a bank or a court.
- Implementation of bank bans : It ensures that the ban on writing cheques applies to all accounts held by the individuals concerned (multi-account bans).
- Communication for the recovery of public debts : It makes it easier to respond to requests from public accountants for information on bank accounts, thus simplifying the recovery of all types of public debt.
What personal data is collected as part of FICOM ?
When carrying out FICOM’s missions, IEDOM and IEOM may collect the following personal data :
- Account identification data
- Account holder identification data
- Date of account opening, modification, and closure.
In accordance with Decree No. 2025-389 of 29 April 2025, this information is kept for 10 years from the date of registration of the account closure.
Who can access FICOM ?
The file is accessible to the following natural persons :
- The account holder : the person whose name appears on the account has the right of access.
- The curator or guardian :these legal representatives can access the information if the account holder is under guardianship or curatorship.
- An heir : in the case of an inheritance, the heirs may consult the deceased’s account file.
Other persons and entities authorised by law have access to FICOM :
- The banking institutions reporting within the framework of:
– The banking prohibition system, which allows them to receive the names of their clients subject to banking bans or the lifting of such bans.
– The control of multiple holdings of regulated savings accounts, which requires them to ensure that a client requesting the opening of a regulated savings account does not already hold one. - Tax authorities, public accountants and public finance officers : for tax audit and collection purposes.
- Judicial police officers : in the context of investigations.
- Customs officials.
- Certain judges : for reasons related to their judicial function.
- Notaries : for the administration of estates.
- ‘Commissaires de justice’ : formerly known as bailiffs and auctioneers – in the performance of their statutory duties.
- Requests submitted by a pension fund, social security, supplementary pension scheme or any other benefit-paying organisation (CAF, MSA, etc.) : for investigations relating to benefit entitlements..
- Courts and judicial representatives in procedure concerning companies in difficulty.
How can I consult FICOM ?
In accordance with Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right to access your personal data registered with FICOM.
To exercise this right, you can :
- Send an e-mail to : rgpd@iedom-ieom.fr or requisitions-ficom@iedom-ieom.fr.
- Contact your local IEDOM office or the head office of the Institute (115 rue Réaumur, 75002 Paris).
Apply by post or in person at your local IEDOM branch, enclosing a photocopy of an identity document bearing your signature.
If you find any inaccuracies in the data, contact the bank managing the account to have them corrected.
Missing parts: Any request for rectification or erasure may be made to your bank.
You have the right to lodge a complaint with the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority).
The IEDOM has appointed a Data Protection Officer, who is registered with the CNIL. The Data Protection Officer’s contact details are 1200-DPD-delegue-ut@banque-france.fr.
If you wish to speak to someone or send an e-mail, contact the IEDOM office in your area, which will provide you with information :
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