Telephone spoofing ou “spoofing” est une fraude où le numéro de l’appelant est masqué puis remplacé par un autre afin de tromper la cible et lui soutirer des informations personnelles ou bancaires.
Discover in this article the actions to be taken if you have been a victim of this activity:
- Contact your telephone operator
- File a complaint with the appropriate authorities
- Ask for help and support
1. Contact your telephone operator
Here's what you need to do go first if you are a victim of identity theft:
- Visit opposition on your line to prevent scammers from continuing to use it.
- Report identity theft à votre opérateur afin qu’il puisse mener une enquête et prendre les mesures nécessaires pour protéger votre ligne.
- Ask for it detailed record of your calls pour identifier les appels frauduleux et les signaler à votre banque.
⚠️ Attention : Ne faites opposition que si vous n’avez plus accès à votre réseau (vol de carte SIM). Si les fraudeurs utilisent simplement votre numéro pour appeler d’autres personnes (spoofing), demandez plutôt à votre opérateur si le mécanisme d’authentification des numéros mis en place par l’ARCEP peut filtrer ces appels.
2. File a complaint with the appropriate authorities
To report usurpation to the appropriate authorities, please contact’ARCEP (Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes) and the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés). Vous pouvez également déposer plainte directement en ligne via la plateforme THESEE (sur le site Service-Public.fr).
Ces organismes agissent pour aider les victimes de cet acte frauduleux. Afin de vous protéger davantage, voici également quelques steps to take if you have been the victim of telephone identity theft:
- Appointment at the gendarmerie Where at the police station to file a complaint.
- Make sure you have all supporting documents This includes call records, screenshots of fraudulent SMS messages or e-mails, etc.
- Detail the facts as accurately as possible and provide the police with all the information you have on the scammers.
Here is a list of additional organizations to contact depending on the type of telephone identity theft you are the victim of:
In the event of financial identity theft
For this type of identity theft, you need to contact banking or financial institutions, including credit companies.
- In this context, it is preferable to recover the list of bank accounts opened in your name, thanks to the FICOBA database.
- Next, check that you are not registered with the Banque de France grâce au fichier central des chèques (FCC) et au fichier des incidents de remboursement des crédits (FICP)
- As a victim, you can establish a certificate of honour aux organismes qui la mettent en cause afin de mentionner que vous n’êtes ni à l’origine ni l’auteur des actes tout en fournissant une copie de votre plainte.
For administrative identity theft
The administrations doivent être contactées en priorité dans le cas d’une usurpation d’identité dans le domaine administratif :
- CAF ;
- Social security ;
- Pension fund ;
- Mutual insurance ;
- Taxes ;
- Etc.
In the case of identity theft on a fine
If you are the victim of identity theft and are asked to pay a fine for something you didn't do, you should file a complaint for identity theft. The complaint must contest the fine.
3. Ask for help and support
There are a number of associations and public bodies that offer a support service to help you get started. provide psychological support in the event of telephone identity theft.
Here are a few examples of’organizations that provide help to those affected :
- France Victimes association : This association supports victims of assault, violence and property damage, helping them to rebuild their lives.
- Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr : This French government site offers information and advice on how to protect yourself from cybercriminals and report cyberattacks.
- European Consumer Centre (ECC): The CEC accompanies the victim through the process and advises them on how to protect themselves against potential scams.
It can also work with european authorities if the identity theft takes place in another EU country.
- UFC-Que Choisir : Recognized as a consumer advocate, this association helps targets of telephone identity theft by informing, accompanying and defending them.
It contributes to combating identity theft and the protection of citizens' rights.
FAQs
How can you find out if your phone number is spoofed?
Fraudsters use techniques sophistiquées d’usurpation de numéro de téléphone. Ils peuvent notamment :
- Using malware to infect your computer or smartphone and steal your personal information, including your phone number.
- Access to databases stolen or leaked phone numbers.
- Using voice over IP“ technologies” (VoIP) to display calls from any number.
- Use theArtificial Intelligence (Deepfake vocal) pour imiter votre voix ou celle d’un proche à partir de courtes séquences audio trouvées sur vos réseaux sociaux.
Notice the warning signs of a fraudulent call
Be vigilant if you receive calls presenting the features The following steps should be taken, as it may be a case of telephone identity theft:
| 🔎 Call characteristic | 📑 Details |
|---|---|
| Number unknown or suspect |
|
| Message automated |
|
| Urgent request |
|
| Spelling and dubious grammar |
|
| Request for payment orpersonal information |
|
Recognize common types of fraudulent calls
Fraudsters use telephone identity theft to carry out various types of fraud.’scams, such as the following :
| ❌ Scam | 📃 Details |
|---|---|
| Telephone phishing |
Note: Même si le numéro affiché semble être celui de votre banque, méfiez-vous. Les nouvelles normes de sécurité (STIR/SHAKEN) bloquent de nombreux appels usurpés, mais certaines failles persistent. |
| Fraud at technical support |
|
| Scam lottery Where in the competition |
|
|
Usurpation of’identity of relatives |
|
Check if your phone number has been spoofed
You can also check if your number has been reported to :
- Websites for reporting fraudulent calls such as 33700.fr.
Screenshot showing the 33700.fr website. Antonin for Alucare.fr
- Your telephone operator, by contacting them to find out if they've received any reports of fraudulent calls from your number.
Use tools and services to detect number theft
Numerous applications and services are available to help you detect fraudulent calls and protect your phone number (ID Protect.fr, Avast.com or AVG.com).
Your telephone operator can also offer services to protect against number theft.
What are the possible causes of identity theft?
L’usurpation d’identité peut être issue des situations below:
- You've lost or made steal your ID.
- Your accounts on réseaux sociaux se sont fait pirater (your personal data has been retrieved without your knowledge).
- You have sent personal documents to false advertising rental or employment.
- You have communicated personal information to a false organization or false administration.
- You put sensitive documents (bank statements, pay slips, etc.) in inappropriate places (garbage cans).
How to protect yourself against telephone identity theft?
Although this is a growing threat, there are a number of gestes simples et des outils adaptés pour vous aider to protect our phone number and limit the risk of spoofing.
Adopt basic practices to secure your number
| 👍 Best practice | 📃 Details |
|---|---|
| Beware of calls from unknown numbers |
|
| Never disclose personal or banking information |
|
| Activate the’two-factor authentication |
|
| Install a antivirus and one anti-malware |
|
| Take care when you click on links |
|
| Regularly check your telephone records |
|
Consider using call-blocking applications and services
Numerous applications and services allow you to block unwanted and fraudulent calls. These tools can be invaluable in filtering suspicious calls and limiting the risk of telephone number theft.
Depending on your cell phone, you should normally have a feature to block these numbers.
So here's a example :
- Open the application Telephone on your smartphone and press the three vertical points or on the Settings (location and appearance may vary according to the make and model of your device).
- Select Call Where Call settings.
- Look for the Call blocking Where Blocked numbers.
- Activate the Call blocking if not already activated.
Depending on your device, you may be able to choose between different options blocking :
- Block unknown numbers This option automatically blocks calls from numbers not in your address book.
- Block a specific number Enter the phone number you wish to block and confirm your choice.
- Block calls from applications This option blocks calls from third-party applications.
Stay alert to suspicious calls and adopt a cautious attitude
Show your common sense and mistrust any telephone solicitation requesting personal or banking information.
If you have the slightest doubt about your contact's identity, hang up immediately and verify the authenticity of the number by contacting the organization directly (website, verified telephone number).
Don't let never press by an insistent caller. Take time to reflect and verify information before making a decision.
What are the consequences of telephone identity theft?
Far from being a simple problem, telephone spoofing can have far-reaching consequences. consequences on the victims.
Beyond the financial loss This underhand scam can cause immediate damage to the reputation, credit and even the mental health of those targeted.
Financial damage: the first visible impact
| 💲 Financial loss | 📃 Details |
|---|---|
| Flight silver |
|
| Bank charges additional |
|
| Difficulties in obtaining credit |
|
Damage to reputation and credit: a lasting impact
| 📉 Damage to reputation and credit | 📃 Details |
|---|---|
| Impersonation identity |
|
|
Underwriting difficulties contracts |
|
| Legal difficulties |
|
Psychological impact: invisible trauma
| 😢 Psychological impact | 📃 Details |
|---|---|
|
Stress and anxiety |
|
| Fear and feeling of insecurity |
|
| Depression and sleep disorders |
|
In conclusion, If someone has stolen your identity, the best thing to do is to act as quickly as possible.
- By following the steps outlined in this article, you can limit the consequences identity theft and protect you against new scams.
- The use of your personal data (first and last name, bank details, etc.) without your knowledge can be upsetting, which is why you can contact a help desk pour vous aider dans les démarches à suivre.
- It is important to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to protect your phone number and ensure your safety at all times.
- Don't forget that phone theft is not just a financial problem, but can also have serious consequences. significant impacts on all aspects of your life.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments area.
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