Beware of fake PESEL number change applications

Following a significant data breach affecting nearly 19 million Polish citizens' medical records, cybercriminals are exploiting the situation by spreading deceptive social media posts containing fake applications to change PESEL numbers. The breach, which originated from the Polish company MyDr, exposed patient data related to visits and prescriptions.

Scammers are leveraging the public's concern over compromised personal information by circulating fabricated forms. One such post, seen on platform X, falsely advertised a "PESEL number change application" supposedly released by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister (KPRM), claiming it would protect individuals from hackers. The post misleadingly suggested that the first six digits of the PESEL number could also be altered.

“

GUS does not handle applications related to changing the PESEL number. All forms distributed on social media, with GUS as the addressee, are false. Do not fill them out.

However, official bodies have firmly refuted these claims. The KPRM has stated it did not release any such form. Furthermore, Krzysztof Jedlak, spokesperson for the head of the Central Statistical Office (GUS), clarified that GUS does not handle PESEL number changes and that any forms circulating with GUS as the addressee are fraudulent. He urged the public not to complete them.

“

The data leak does not constitute grounds for changing the PESEL number.

Changing a PESEL number, Poland's national identification number, is a strictly regulated process. According to the law, such changes are only permitted in a few specific situations: correcting a date of birth, rectifying errors made during the initial assignment if an official was misled about the identity, correcting data entry errors like birth date or gender, or in cases of official gender reassignment. A data leak is not a valid reason for altering one's PESEL number.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski has urged citizens to secure their PESEL numbers by registering them. This can be done at a government office, a bank, or via the mObywatel app. While registering a PESEL number does not prevent essential activities like medical appointments or banking transactions, it serves as a crucial security measure against identity theft following data breaches.

“

Register your PESEL number. You can do this at an office or a bank. Since November 17, 2023, also using the mObywatel application. The registration service is free. It takes less than a minute.