{"id":6102,"date":"2023-11-29T11:46:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T10:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/backup2\/?p=6102"},"modified":"2024-06-18T18:39:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T16:39:51","slug":"pesel-and-identity-thew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/pesel-and-identity-thew\/","title":{"rendered":"Secure data &#8211; PESEL, and identity theft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever wondered whether someone who knows your PESEL number can take out a loan or make installment purchases in your name, essentially stealing your identity? The answer is yes, it can happen. However, there are measures you can take to prevent it. In this article, I will guide you on how to safeguard your identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-pesel\">What is PESEL?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.pl\/web\/cyfryzacja\/co-to-jest-numer-pesel-i-jak-sie-go-nadaje\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PESEL<\/a> is an individual, eleven-digit numerical symbol that identifies you as a person. It includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your date of birth,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serial number,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender designation,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Control digit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Every Polish citizen is assigned a PESEL number, given shortly after the guardian reports the birth of the individual to the national registry. Foreigners residing, studying, or working in Poland also receive a PESEL number upon request or when registering for temporary or permanent residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-uses-of-pesel\">Uses of PESEL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you already know, PESEL is used for personal identification in various life situations, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Opening a bank account,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessing public healthcare,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Starting employment,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishing a sole proprietorship,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Filing tax returns, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your PESEL number is unique to you and cannot be duplicated.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pesel-and-identity-theft\">PESEL and Identity Theft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While PESEL serves essential identification purposes, obtaining it without authorization poses significant risks. Unauthorized individuals may misuse your PESEL for activities like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Taking out loans in the holder&#8217;s name,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Making credit purchases using the holder&#8217;s PESEL,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Falsifying personal identification documents, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you might be wondering how to protect yourself from such abuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-expert-commentary\">Expert Commentary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In IT security, the primary principle is: what is not allowed is prohibited. Therefore, access permissions should be only what is necessary. Ultimately, humans are the weakest link in security. That&#8217;s why cultivating good IT habits among users is crucial, not only related to work but also in everyday life. Reserving the PESEL number aligns well with these principles. It raises awareness of threats and provides a tool for protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8222;I am pleased that such a service has finally appeared. However, I feel a significant shortfall that, by default, all PESEL numbers are not reserved. This could significantly minimize fraud and scams, especially among seniors,&#8221; says Jurek Ochnio, IT Department Coordinator at the WO\u015aP Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-basic-pesel-protection-measures\">Basic PESEL Protection Measures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To secure your PESEL number, focus on these fundamental principles to reduce the risk of misuse and protect your data:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not disclose your ID to third parties \u2013 your ID is one of your most important documents, containing crucial personal information. Avoid sharing it with others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid photocopying your ID \u2013 according to public document laws, replicating documents is prohibited and may result in penalties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid public networks \u2013 while the internet is convenient, be cautious about logging into your bank account or portals containing your data. Hackers can easily retrieve necessary login details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use trusted portals only \u2013 the &#8222;grandchild&#8221; scam method is still prevalent. Today, a fake website could pose as a grandchild and easily gather your data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement two-factor authentication \u2013 after entering your password, always confirm your access with a code sent via SMS or email.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pesel-leakage-what-to-do\">PESEL Leakage: What to Do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone unauthorized has taken control of your PESEL, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reserve your PESEL \u2013 since November 17, 2023, you can independently reserve your PESEL through the <a href=\"https:\/\/serwis.epuap.gov.pl\/mlpz\/login?ORIGIN=EU2_PROD_IAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mObywatel.gov.pl<\/a> portal. Take this step at the first suspicion of unauthorized access to protect yourself from identity theft.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Instructions for reserving your PESEL after logging in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click on &#8222;Your data,&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the right side, you&#8217;ll find the option &#8222;Reserve PESEL,&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that while the mObywatel.gov.pl portal facilitates such actions, you can still address the matter in person at any municipal office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n<li>Report the misuse \u2013 if you know your PESEL has been used for criminal activities, report the incident promptly to the relevant law enforcement agency.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For foreigners without access to the <a href=\"https:\/\/serwis.epuap.gov.pl\/mlpz\/login?ORIGIN=EU2_PROD_IAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mObywatel.gov.pl<\/a> portal, you can reserve your PESEL at any municipal office. After verifying your identity with your passport, residence permit, or another valid document, submit an application to reserve your PESEL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to learn more about the mObywatel application, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/mobywatel\/\">article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever wondered whether someone who knows your PESEL number can take out a loan or make installment purchases in your name, essentially stealing your identity? The answer is yes, it can happen. However, there are measures you can take to prevent it. In this article, I will guide you on how to safeguard [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":6114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[621],"tags":[920],"ppma_author":[1334],"class_list":["post-6102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngo","tag-ngolawyer"],"acf":[],"authors":[{"term_id":1334,"user_id":12,"is_guest":0,"slug":"aleksandra-bura","display_name":"Aleksandra Bura","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Legalden-2025_piony-6112-scaled.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Legalden-2025_piony-6112-scaled.jpg"},"author_category":"","first_name":"Aleksandra","last_name":"Bura","user_url":"","job_title":"Prawo organizacji pozarz\u0105dowych | inkluzywno\u015b\u0107 w pracy","telefon":"","mail":"aleksandra.bura@legalden.pl","foto":"","tiktok":"","youtube":"","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/aleksandrabura-she-her\/","instagram":"","twitter":"","facebook":"","description":"Specjalistka inkluzywno\u015bci i r\u00f3\u017cnorodno\u015bci w pracy, prawniczka, aplikantka adwokacka.\r\nW kancelarii Legalden wspiera obs\u0142ug\u0119 prawn\u0105 NGO, doradza przy zak\u0142adaniu organizacji oraz pomaga w rozwi\u0105zywaniu bie\u017c\u0105cych trudno\u015bci prawnych. Zajmuje si\u0119 tak\u017ce legalizacj\u0105 pobytu i pracy zagranicznych ekspert\u00f3w wsp\u00f3\u0142pracuj\u0105cych z organizacjami mi\u0119dzynarodowymi.\r\nZag\u0142\u0119bienie w kwestie inkluzywno\u015bci jest dla niej naturalnym ci\u0105giem wydarze\u0144 \u2013 swoj\u0105 prac\u0119 magistersk\u0105 po\u015bwi\u0119ci\u0142a interdyscyplinarnemu tematowi \u201eRejestrowane zwi\u0105zki partnerskie jako instytucja alternatywna dla ma\u0142\u017ce\u0144stwa\u201d. Z czasem jej zainteresowania r\u00f3wno\u015bciowe rozszerzy\u0142y si\u0119 na inne obszary, w kt\u00f3rych dochodzi do dyskryminacji.\r\n\r\nOd czas\u00f3w studi\u00f3w zaanga\u017cowana w dzia\u0142alno\u015b\u0107 organizacji pozarz\u0105dowych, m.in. jako cz\u0142onkini zwyk\u0142a, a nast\u0119pnie cz\u0142onkini zarz\u0105du Stowarzyszenia ELSA Warszawa (Europejskie Stowarzyszenie Student\u00f3w Prawa, oddzia\u0142 warszawski).\r\n\r\nPrywatnie psia mama, mi\u0142o\u015bniczka d\u0142ugich spacer\u00f3w, jazdy na rowerze, plansz\u00f3wek, ksi\u0105\u017cek i bingowania seriali."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6102"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalden.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=6102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}