French Tax Authority Hacked: 678K Records Leaked
A major data breach in France has exposed sensitive information of over 678,000 individuals and companies, putting wealthy Bitcoin holders at risk. The hackers accessed the tax authority's internal search tool using stolen VPN credentials towards the end of June, with the breach only discovered during a routine check.
The leaked dataset includes names, addresses, phone numbers, income figures, and family information, making it a treasure trove for phishing, identity theft, and targeting Bitcoin holders. The data also reveals that 26,805 individuals have an income of at least $116,000, while 386 have more than $1.16 million in income.
Crypto security advocate Jameson Lopp warned that the breach is particularly concerning due to France's history of 'wrench attacks', where hackers use leaked information to target high-value assets. CertiK's data corroborates Lopp's statement, showing that 52 wrench attacks took place globally in the first half of 2026, with 33 occurring in France.
Regulatory measures cannot erase the already duplicated and sold information, making it crucial for users of cryptocurrencies to be cautious. Experts recommend avoiding publicly disclosing personal details, splitting important funds among various wallets, using multiple signatures, and storing sensitive recovery data in secure places.