Imagine you're picking up a letter. However, it is not a vacation card, and a letter from a debt collection company that demands the repayment of PLN 30 000 for a debt you have no thought of. Sounds like a nightmare? Unfortunately, for the increasing number of Poles, it is simply a brutal reality. The identity theft utilizing the PESEL number has become a real scourge. Criminals, with this 11-digit number in their hand, are able to take credit, buy costly equipment for installments, and even set up a “post” company to extort taxes. In consequence to this rising wave of fraud, the government has launched a powerful and free tool that each of us should know and use. We are talking about the "Reserve PESEL" service, which has late radically changed the rules of the game in favour of citizens.
Why is your PESEL like Gold to the Thief?
The universal Electronic strategy of Population Records, or PESEL, is the key for many financial institutions and companies to identify a citizen. In combination with basic data specified as name and surname (which frequently leak together), it becomes the universal key to your financial life. Criminals no longer gotta bargain physical ID. It is adequate that they enter into possession of your data from 1 of the many leaks that regularly happen in Poland and in the world. In fresh years, there have been reports of leaks from large online shops, courier companies or even medical facilities.
Having your PESEL, a con artist can:
- Take a debt or a ‘minute’ online: It's the most common scenario. Procedures in many debt companies are simplified and do not require physical presence.
- Buy goods on instalments: A fresh smartphone, tv or laptop – all of this can be purchased under your name.
- Rent an flat or a car: The property or vehicle may then be utilized to commit further offences.
- Make a duplicate SIM card: This opens the way to take control of your bank account by intercepting authorization SMSes.
- Establish a fictional OC policy: The cheaters pay the first installment, and then calls to pay the next 1 come to the unconscious victim.
Until recently, the victim of specified fraud faced an highly hard task – she had to prove to the bank and court that she did not make the commitment. It was a long, costly and exhausting battle. Now that's changed.
"Reserve PESEL": How does atomic Option Against Cheaters work?
As of 1 June 2024, the key provisions of the Act came into force, which gives citizens real protection. The “Reserve PESEL” service works on a simple basis: erstwhile your number is reserved, financial institutions (banks, debt companies), notaries and telecommunications operators have Legal obligation check its position in the central registry before concluding the contract.
What does this mean in practice? If your PESEL is restricted, yet individual will take credit for it, the financial institution that granted the debt will not be able to require you to repay the debt. The burden of work is full transferred from the victim to a company that failed to comply with the verification obligation. It's a revolutionary change that makes extortion for a proprietary number pointless.
The service is completely free and the reservation and its withdrawal is immediate. You can have your PESEL reserved at all times and retreat the reservation only for a minute erstwhile you actually request it, e.g. to sign a credit agreement.
How do I reserve my pet? Step by Step
The State has made available 3 simple and free methods so that everyone can benefit from this form of protection:
- Through mCitizen app: It's the fastest and most convenient way. After logging in to the application, simply find the “Reserve PESEL” service and decision the slider. The full operation takes virtually a fewer seconds. In the application you can besides check who and erstwhile verified your number and enable notifications about specified verification.
- Over the net on gov.pl: The process is equally simple. delight log in to mCitizen via Trusted Profile, e-ID or electronic banking, and then choice the appropriate option.
- Personally at the municipality office: If you do not usage modern technologies, you can go to any municipal office with your ID and make a simple application on the spot. The authoritative will object immediately.
What to do erstwhile you request to usage your PESEL number?
Life goes on and sometimes we gotta take credit, lease or sign a notarial deed. The service is prepared for this. You can at any minute revoke the reservation, utilizing the same methods (application mCitizen, page gov.pl, office of the municipality).
You can revoke the reservation without hold or, which is simply a very convenient option, set the date and time erstwhile the reservation is to be automatically reinstated. This means that you do not request to remember to “freeze” your number again after handling the matter.
It is worth remembering that the reservation of the PESEL number does not block the handling of authoritative matters, visits to a doctor or the implementation of a prescription. The restrictions mainly concern the conclusion of credit and debt agreements, the acquisition and sale of real property to a notary, or the issuing of a duplicate SIM card.
Don't wait until it's besides late. Data leaks are a fact, and frauds are becoming more and more impudent. Securing your PESEL number present is 1 of the fundamental steps in ensuring your financial security. Enter the app or the government website and do it now – this is the simplest and most effective insurance policy you can supply yourself.
Continued here:
Check PESEL – Government warns against Wave of Fraud. The fresh law gives you weapons you don't know about.
