Firefighters, postal workers, rubbish collectors: Alert on calendar scams in France

Households in France are warned to be alert to the possibility of scammers at the front door at this time of year, with fake workers posing as real professionals in a bid to sell you traditional calendars.

Every year in France, firefighters and postal workers traditionally offer calendars to residents, in return for an optional donation. It is usually a light-hearted gesture and a way for customers to note their thanks for the professionals' work.

Scammer alert

Every year, scammers jump on the opportunity, and visit ‘customers’ door-to-door, either to scam people out of money, or in a bid to break into victims’ homes and steal their valuables.

One city to have raised the alarm already is Strasbourg, reported France 3 Grand Est, after authorities say they have received several reports from residents.

Often, the criminals operate in pairs, in a bid to distract their victims so they can break into their home. Sometimes they may ask to use the toilet. They tend to target the most vulnerable, such as the elderly.

Authorised workers

Scammers have been known to pose as postal workers, police officers and rubbish collectors. But in reality, only postal workers and firefighters have the right to sell these calendars. 

Postal workers typically have to order their calendars themselves from a printer, and can only sell them outside their working hours. Any profits they make are seen as a Christmas bonus.

Firefighters must have authorisation from the prefecture to sell the calendars. They must wear their uniforms and show their association card to prove their membership when selling and provide you with a receipt for any money they raise. 

Unlike postal workers, they do not take the money raised themselves. Instead, it is donated to the wider fire brigade or relevant charitable associations.

Other professions - such as waste collectors - may be permitted to sell their own calendars, but only if they have permission from the local mairie. For example, in Paris, waste collectors working for the city are strictly forbidden from selling calendars. 

Similarly, neither the national police nor gendarmerie will ever try to sell you a calendar, states the Préfecture de Police on its website.

Read also: La Poste, fire service: where does money from calendars go in France? 

How to avoid Christmas calendar scams

To avoid falling for a scam, the Calvados prefecture offers the following advice:

• Never let anyone selling door-to-door enter your property

• Do not open your door to someone you do not recognise 

• Ask for proof of identity, employer, or membership card, especially for firefighters

• Contact your local mairie to check if selling is taking place in your local area, and if so, who has the authorisation 

• Note down the number plate of any vehicles used by the visitors

• Remember that no money can be demanded. People who buy a calendar are free to choose the amount they wish to pay, so neither the postal workers nor the fire brigade can force you to pay anything.

• If in doubt, call 17 to be put in touch with the police or gendarmerie.

Read also: How to spot fake sellers of calendars in France