Losing or misplacing any identity document can have unpleasant consequences for its owner, especially since there are many ways to use someone else’s identity and new ones continue to emerge. Documents are used to obtain loans fraudulently, rent an apartment or hotel room, steal a rented car, set up fictitious companies to obtain loans fraudulently, and claim tax refunds.
It often turns out that, after several months, the actual victim receives notification of debt collection proceedings being conducted against them because of debt they know nothing about. Before the matter is resolved, several months may pass. During that time, we only suffer unnecessary stress. How can this be prevented?
For several years, Poland has been running an information campaign called “Dokument zastrzeżony”, supported by police officers. Remember: if you lose an identity document, cancel it at your bank or at another bank that accepts cancellation requests from people who are not its customers. If the loss resulted from theft, the matter should also be reported to the Police. The next step is to notify the nearest municipal authority or consular office and obtain a new document.
It is also important to report all lost payment cards as soon as possible. After all, PayPass contactless technology makes it possible to carry out cashless transactions in Poland.
Details of the campaign are available on the website dokumentyzastrzeżone.pl
Have you lost your documents? Don’t take risks! Cancel them at your bank.