French authorities are growing increasingly concerned about the return of SIM swapping scams, a type of cybercrime where criminals clone or duplicate SIM cards to access victims' personal information and financial accounts. The Gendarmerie of the Somme issued a warning on August 27, highlighting a sharp increase in these scams since January 2025. Nearly two-thirds of the French population have been affected, with victims losing an average of 10,000 euros each, according to recent reports. The scam typically involves hackers contacting mobile service providers, pretending to be customers, and requesting a copy of the SIM card or a change in the phone number associated with the account. Another common method is when individuals lose their SIM cards or sensitive data during phone repairs at untrustworthy repair shops. In some cases, scammers may even gain direct access to the victim's phone to extract necessary information. Once a SIM card is cloned, the consequences can be severe. Scammers can impersonate the victim to make calls or send messages, a form of identity theft. They may also launch phishing attacks, pretending to be from banks or mobile operators to extract personal data. Additionally, two-factor authentication codes sent via SMS can be intercepted, allowing hackers to make unauthorized purchases, transfer money, or open new accounts. Some victims have reported fraudulent charges exceeding 1,500 euros. The rise in SIM swapping is partly due to the increasing use of two-factor authentication, which has made traditional hacking methods less effective. As a result, criminals have adapted by targeting the authentication process itself. Victims are advised to monitor for signs like a sudden stop in receiving calls or messages, loss of access to apps, or unexpected password changes. If these occur, contacting the mobile operator immediately is crucial, along with reporting the fraud and deactivating the cloned SIM card while reactivating the original. If a bank account is affected, contacting the bank to block transactions or request reimbursement is also necessary. To prevent becoming a victim, individuals are encouraged to limit the sharing of their phone numbers, regularly update SIM card and answering machine passwords, and ensure that any account changes require a code sent directly to them. The Gendarmerie of the Somme recommends using authentication apps like Google or Microsoft Authenticator instead of SMS for two-factor authentication. Avoiding suspicious links and ensuring SIM cards are not left behind during phone repairs are also advised. Despite these measures, the fight against SIM swapping remains difficult, as hackers continue to evolve their tactics, complicating efforts by law enforcement to keep up.