Facebook data breach: how to check if your phone number is affected

A file of the personal data of some 533 million Facebook users around the world was posted for free this weekend on a hacking site, and is now spreading across the web.

Among the information stolen are the name, email address, date of birth, and telephone number of these users, among whom there are nearly 20 million French people.

To read also: Facebook: data of 20 million French people in free access on the web

• How do I know if his phone number is in this database?

It is no longer necessary to go to unsavory corners of the Web to find the file - and thus participate in its propagation.

The Have I been pwned?

("

Did I get fooled?

"), Which allows you to check if your email address and passwords have been compromised during hacks, has been updated and now allows you to find your phone number.

To do this, you must enter your number in international format, using the code +33 and removing the 0 from 06 or 07. Let us take a fictitious number.

The owner of 06 12 34 56 78 must enter +33612345678.

If the site says “

Oh no - pwned!

”, This means that your number is in the hacked database.

If the answer is "

Good news - no pwnage found!"

», You are not affected by the hacking.

• What do I risk if my phone number is in the database?

Your phone number may be used for phone scams.

Among them are “voice spam”, calls that encourage you to call back a fictitious correspondent to take advantage of a gift voucher, help a delivery person who cannot find your address, or simply “call back your advisor”.

The victim's call ends at a surcharged number or located abroad.

Another risk, the SMS coming from a public service, an institution or a company, which will encourage you to click on a link to, for example, check the details of the delivery or to collect the payment of help.

This link will take you to a normal looking site, where you will be prompted to enter your credit card information.

• What can I do if my number is in the database?

Unfortunately, not much except changing your phone number, which is an extreme solution.

Be very vigilant and wary of calls and texts received from unknown numbers, which are likely to multiply in the coming weeks.

Avoid facing any link directing you to a site where your credit card number is requested.