Another data leak. How to register a PESEL number? It’s worth doing it, although there is one “but”

Just over a week ago, on November 17 this year, the Ministry of Digital Affairs launched a system allowing citizens to block their PESEL number. This is great news because this way you can protect yourself against identity theft and prevent, for example, taking out a loan on your data. And of course, especially now, it is definitely worth doing it, although the solution is not without “drawbacks” for now.

You don’t want to wake up with (someone else’s) loan? The new mObywatela function will help

The leak of data from the ALAB laboratory network revealed on Monday is a good signal to reserve your PESEL number. It shows that data thefts do happen, and some of them can be used by fraudsters to impersonate someone else’s identity (e.g., take out a payday loan, obtain a duplicate SIM card, etc.). How to do it? It is very easy.

The easiest method, of course, is to reserve your PESEL number online. Currently, we can reserve the PESEL number on the mObywatel website (both in the application and in the browser on the computer). This option can be found in the “Your data” tab. Then just click on “PESEL Objection Register”. Then you will see the status of your PESEL and next to it the “Reserve PESEL” icon. At the end, just confirm your willingness to perform the operation and that’s it – the number is withheld immediately.

Of course, you can also register your PESEL number at a stationary location in several ways. This can be done, for example, by submitting an appropriate application to the commune office, national bank, cooperative savings and credit union or post office. Any adult who has this number can reserve his or her PESEL number. There is nothing stopping you from unblocking this number (permanently or for a specific period of time).

The registry is already operational, but not fully. You have to wait until June

As experts note, for now, as part of the first stage of system implementation, banks and loan companies will not be obliged or able to check whether a given PESEL is on the list. The regulations will fully enter into force only on June 1, 2024. However, nothing stops you from registering your PESEL number in advance.

The register starts operating on November 17, but banks, loan companies, telecommunications operators and notaries will be obliged to check whether their client’s PESEL is not restricted only from June 1, 2024. Now not only do they not have to do this, but they do not even have the technical possibility to do so. The integration of IT systems is only just beginning

– explained Bartłomiej Drozd from ChronPESEL.pl.

Even after this date, we will not have full protection. The bill says the registry will only operate in a few well-defined cases to prevent “certain consequences of identity theft.” Banks and loan companies, telecommunications operators (e.g. if they want to issue a SIM duplicate) and notaries will certainly be obliged to verify.