Your phone rings, a stranger accuses you of calling them... when you didn't. Welcome to the world of spoofing, where your number becomes a scam tool without your consent. Deciphering a scam that is gaining traction.
In recent months, a worrying phenomenon has been increasing: people are receiving calls from strangers claiming to have been scammed. contacted by their number. In reality, these callers are victims of telephone spoofing, a technique that allows scammers to falsify the displayed identifier. Behind this scheme lie various motivations, from abusive canvassing to organized banking fraud.
The mechanism relies on legal software, such as IPBXs, normally used by companies to centralize their communications. These tools allow the number visible during a call to be modified. While this feature is useful for customer service, it becomes problematic when fraudsters use it to imitate bank or personal numbers. In March 2024, the Finistère gendarmerie alerted about cases where residents were receiving calls displaying the official number of their bank branch, and then having sensitive data extracted.
Legal tools are being misused to scam you
IPBXs aren't the only vectors. Foreign messaging apps, like WhatsApp, also allow the numbers displayed to be manipulated. These platforms escape the French law that came into effect in October 2024, which requires local operators to block unauthenticated numbers. As a result, scammers exploit these loopholes to circumvent restrictions, making the fight against spoofing complex.
Worse, some criminal organizations go so far as to spoof their victims' numbers to solicit other targets. Imagine: your own number is used to call strangers, who then believe they are dealing with you. A formidable trap for creating confusion and facilitating a cascade of fraud.
What should you do if your number has been hacked?
If you suspect a theft, several reflexes are essential. First step: file a complaint, as recommended by Arcep. Article L.226-4-1 of the Penal Code provides for up to one year in prison and a fine of €15,000 for the theft victims. At the same time, the 17Cyber platform offers a free online diagnosis, guiding victims towards the appropriate steps: bank block, alert to his bank, request for reimbursement...
The authorities also remind you that no serious institution requests confidential information over the phone. A bank advisor will never ask you for your codes or card details via this channel. As usual, if in doubt, hang up and contact your branch directly via a verified number.
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