The consequences of the cyberattack which emerged in October 2024 against the operator Free are worrying. The arrest of a 17-year-old boy, suspected of being at the origin of this intrusiontook place. But scams are likely to multiply.
A scam following a data leak
The personal data of 19 million customers is now circulating. They contain particularly sensitive information, such as 5 million IBANs, and 100,000 of these files distributed free of charge.
The exploitation of stolen information was not long in coming. On the X platform, a Free customer reported a scam email he received. This message seemed to come from the operator, with a tempting offer.
In fact, he promised a reduction on his subscription and a transfer of 100 euros, supposedly without conditions. Be aware that the hackers designed this scam attempt skillfully. But that's not all.
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The message included specific information about the recipient, such as their first and last name, bank, subscriber number and telephone number. The scammers got this information during the data leak.
On the other hand, an element alerted the recipient's vigilance. This is the address used for sending. The message came from [email protected]. This is a scam address that has absolutely nothing to do with Free.
The massive data leak makes it very likely that many Free customers will be subject to similar messages. Scammers rely on victims' gullibility or distraction to click on fraudulent links included in these communications.
-Precautions to take
These links also redirect to sites that imitate those of the operator or banks. And this, with the aim of recovering even more information or directly extracting money. Faced with this threat, he You need to be extra vigilant and know the right reflexes.
To avoid the scam, you must verify the sender of the message. Even if an email appears to come from a well-known company, a suspicious or unusual address should immediately raise suspicion.
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In addition, it is better to directly open the official website of the operator or contact its customer service to verify the veracity of the information. Customers affected by the data breach should monitor their statements and promptly report any suspicious activity to their bank.
Activating double authentication also helps limit the risk of fraudulent access to your accounts, even if your personal data is compromised. Sensitive information, once exposed, become powerful tools in the hands of hackers.
They use them to develop scams. The arrest of the suspect represents an important milestone. On the other hand, vigilance remains the main shield against these attempts at fraud.
The 19 million customers concerned must become aware of these risks. They must then strengthen their online security practices.
