The data of more than a million bank accounts accessed 'illegitimately' by 'a malicious actor'
Illegitimate access to the national bank accounts database has compromised the data of over 1.2 million accounts in France, as reported by the Ministry of Economy.
The French Ministry of Economy has announced that a malicious actor has illegitimately accessed the national bank accounts database, compromising the personal data of approximately 1.2 million bank accounts. This breach is said to have begun at the end of January 2026, when the attacker impersonated a civil servant with legitimate access to the database. The compromised information includes sensitive banking details such as bank account numbers and the identities of account holders.
Authorities have mobilized resources to address this security incident and are investigating how the breach occurred. The Ministry emphasized the seriousness of the situation, calling for vigilance among the public regarding potential identity theft or fraudulent activities resulting from the compromised data. Banking institutions are also expected to enhance their security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges related to cybersecurity and the protection of personal data within financial institutions. With increasing cyber threats, the need for robust security measures and accountability in safeguarding sensitive information has never been more critical, as such breaches can lead to significant violations of privacy and trust among citizens and customers alike.