A data breach involving France's tax authority, the DGFiP, occurred on August 12 and 13, 2026, affecting around 680,000 individuals. The breach exposed sensitive personal information, including names, dates of birth, email addresses, and detailed tax-related data such as reference tax income (RFR) and cadastral information, which relates to property records. This type of data can be highly valuable to cybercriminals, as it provides a comprehensive view of an individual's financial situation. Those affected are being urged to take precautions to protect their personal information. As of August 27, 2026, there is no reliable tool available to check if one’s data has been leaked. Experts recommend avoiding the sharing of personal information with third parties to reduce the risk of fraud. Hackers may use the stolen data to launch complex fraud schemes, such as social engineering, where they manipulate individuals into revealing more information or making payments. Fraudulent communications often come in the form of phone calls, emails, or text messages that appear to be from official sources. These messages may claim to be related to fines, payments, refunds, or requests for personal information. Individuals are advised to be cautious and not click on any links within such messages. Instead, they should verify the sender’s email address and domain name. Official government services, including the DGFiP, do not include links in their communications. Any personalized message should be cross-checked directly on the official website of the relevant state service. To help identify potential scams, tools like Scam Guardian and Avast Assistant can be used to check the legitimacy of links, messages, or websites. Cybersecurity solutions such as Avast Secure Identity can also help monitor personal information and assist in case of identity theft. These tools can scan the Dark Web for stolen data, alert users to suspicious activity on social media, and guide them through steps to replace or cancel compromised documents. Avast Secure Identity also offers the option to contact an expert for assistance during specific hours. For those looking to enhance their online security, Avast Secure Identity is recommended. Subscription plans are available at discounted rates, including a 1-year plan for 35.88 euros (49% off) or a 2-year plan for 69.36 euros (50% off). After the initial period, the annual cost is 69.99 euros. Avast One is free to start with, and additional premium features can be added for more comprehensive protection. A 30-day satisfaction guarantee or refund is included with the purchase.