To pay for a laptop, a graphics card or home office equipment, a loan between relatives stays simple: an IOU is often enough, formulaire 2062 is only required above 5 000 €, and no genuine lender ever asks for fees.
Modest sums but an urgent need
A computer that breaks down in the middle of the university year or a home office to equip often costs a few hundred to a few thousand euros. This pressing need explains why many people ask a parent rather than take out expensive revolving credit.
An IOU even for a small loan
Even for 800 € lent by an uncle to buy a MacBook, a dated and signed document avoids misunderstandings. The IOU states the amount in figures and in words, the repayment schedule and, where relevant, the interest agreed between the two parties.
The 5 000 € threshold and formulaire 2062
A loan for a video editing workstation or several computers can exceed 5 000 €. The borrower then attaches formulaire 2062 (the French tax form for declaring loans) to the income tax return; below that threshold no declaration is needed, though a written record helps.
New, refurbished or second-hand
A refurbished computer sold by a professional comes with the legal guarantee of conformity, which reduces the amount you need to borrow. Buying second-hand from a private seller is cheaper but offers far fewer remedies if the device fails soon after purchase.
Fake sellers on classified ad sites
On Leboncoin or Facebook groups, adverts for gaming PCs at knock-down prices act as bait: the seller insists on payment by transfer or voucher, then vanishes. Collecting in person and testing the device remains the most effective precaution against this trick.
Fake lenders offering to finance a computer
Profiles promise students a fast loan for a computer, then demand insurance or release fees. The list of reported fake private lenders shows how this scenario keeps repeating with only small variations in names and amounts.
Split payments and retailer credit
Several retailers offer payment in three or four instalments. The new European consumer credit directive plans to regulate these formulas more closely; their fees and late payment penalties should be compared with an interest-free family loan before choosing.
Students and pupils: support worth knowing about
Some regions and universities fund or lend computer equipment to students on grants. Before borrowing, it is worth asking the Crous student welfare service or the region; the page on the peer-to-peer student loan covers the subject in more depth.
Planning for breakdown or theft of the device
If the financed computer is stolen or broken, the debt is still owed to the lender. The contract can cover this case, for example by postponing instalments until compensation arrives from home insurance or from a warranty bought with the device.
Computer equipment for a professional activity
A freelance graphic designer or developer who borrows for equipment must record both the loan and the purchase in the accounts. Keeping the invoice in the business name allows the equipment to be depreciated; an accountant will specify the exact treatment.
Phishing and fake online shops
A text message link to a supposed computer sale can lead to a fake website that captures card details. Checking the web address, the seller's identity and the legal notices avoids losing both the borrowed money and your banking information.
Reporting a scam linked to a purchase or a loan
A suspicious online shop is reported on Signal Conso, a fraudulent advert on PHAROS, and a complaint is filed with the police or gendarmerie. Alerting your bank immediately can sometimes stop a transfer that is still being processed.
Paying for a computer with a family loan
- Compare the price of new, guaranteed refurbished and second-hand models to set the exact amount to borrow.
- Check existing support from the Crous, the region or the employer for a home office setup.
- Draft a signed IOU stating the amount, the date of each repayment and any interest.
- Receive the money by transfer, then pay the seller with a method offering recourse, such as a bank card.
- Keep the invoice, the contract and proof of repayment until the debt is fully settled.
- Declare the loan on formulaire 2062 only if the total borrowed for the equipment exceeds 5 000 €.
Comparing the cost of financing a computer purchase
| Option | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Interest-free family loan | No interest | Written record advised, declaration above 5 000 € |
| Family loan with interest | Free below the usury rate (indicative) | Threshold published quarterly by the Banque de France |
| Retailer instalment plan | Fees depend on the retailer (indicative) | Read the late payment penalties |
| Optional registration of the contract | 125 € (indicative) | Rarely justified for a small amount |
| Fees paid to a fake lender or seller | Total loss | No refund to expect |
What to keep for a computer equipment loan
- ID documents of the lender and the borrower
- Dated and signed IOU
- Quote or invoice for the equipment bought
- Borrower's bank details to receive the funds
- Bank statement proving the transfer
- Agreed repayment schedule
Mistakes to avoid before buying your equipment
- Paying for a second-hand computer by transfer to an unknown seller who refuses any handover in person or any test.
- Accepting an offer from a lender found on Instagram who demands application fees in prepaid cards to finance a PC.
- Advancing 900 € for a graphics tablet to a nephew with nothing in writing, then no longer knowing what is still owed after a few months.
- Stacking several split payments for a screen, a keyboard and a mouse without checking that the instalments remain affordable.
- Clicking a sale link received by text message and entering your bank details on a fake shopping site.
Questions about loans for computer equipment
Do I need to declare a 1 000 € loan to buy a computer?
No, declaring on formulaire 2062 is only compulsory above 5 000 €. A signed IOU is still useful to prove the money is a loan and not a gift, and to set the repayment dates clearly for both of you.
Is it better to borrow or to pay in instalments at the shop?
An interest-free family loan is generally cheaper than a split payment with fees. Paying in instalments can suit a small amount if the fees are zero. Compare the total cost and the penalties charged in case of late payment.
An online lender offers to finance my PC: how can I check it?
A real credit provider is registered with ORIAS, the French register of intermediaries, or authorised by the ACPR, the banking supervisor, and never asks for fees before paying out. An offer made by private message, with payment in vouchers or cryptocurrency, should be treated as a scam.
What happens to the debt if the computer is stolen?
The debt is still owed, because the loan concerns a sum of money and not the device. The contract can allow instalments to be postponed while waiting for the insurance payout. File a police report quickly to help the claim go through.