Biznes Fakty
New scam. „Rising tide”
Recently, scammers have been exploiting stolen personal information to acquire new third-party liability insurance policies. This primarily involves PESEL numbers, according to experts’ warnings.
” The increasing incidents of PESEL number theft from various registries have led criminals to utilize them for new schemes,” explains the ChronPESEL.pl website and the National Debt Register.
Experts further note, referencing data from the Polish Insurance Association (PIU), that there has been a rise in attempts at compensation fraud, with over 37,000 cases identified in 2023. This marks an increase of 5,000 compared to 2022. Consequently, improper payments amounting to PLN 452 million have been averted.
New scam. Counterfeit third-party liability insurance contracts
The scam „involves the acquisition of non-existent third-party liability insurance policies using stolen personal data and subsequently paying only the initial installment.”
„If subsequent payments are not made, the insurance provider, in accordance with regulations, cannot terminate the mandatory vehicle insurance until the contract concludes, though it will not automatically renew for another term. Nonetheless, claims for unpaid premiums are pursued by the individual listed on the contract,” the press release clarified.
– Such occurrences are to be expected, as personal data has been a sought-after commodity traded online for several years. Thus, the likelihood that criminals will exploit stolen PESEL numbers to establish fictitious third-party liability insurance contracts is exceedingly high,” emphasizes Bartłomiej Drozd, an expert from the ChronPESEL.pl website.
He continues: – Especially since insurance companies, along with sellers of used cars, are not legally required to verify whether the PESEL number has been disclosed by the consumer. This is in contrast to banks, loan institutions, telecommunications providers, and notaries. Consequently, it is increasingly essential to exercise caution when sharing personal information. It is advisable to continuously monitor your PESEL.
Incorrect segments of data
However, experts underscore that in some fraudulent cases, the complete information of the third parties from whom it was stolen does not align. For instance, the PESEL number may be accurate, but the name and surname are incorrect. Occasionally, there may also be an incorrect address or details from a canceled ID card.
Insurance firms might identify discrepancies when assessing an application for a new policy or when transferring third-party liability insurance to the current vehicle owner.
Counterfeit car purchase and sale agreements
Another fraudulent tactic involves entering into bogus car purchase and sale agreements, experts warn. They explain that criminals impersonate other individuals during such transactions, and often sellers do not even verify the identity of potential buyers, for instance, by requesting an ID.
„Subsequently, scammers take advantage of the fact that third-party liability insurance is linked to the vehicle, not its owner. This implies that the buyer can continue the seller’s third-party liability insurance policy until its automatic expiration date. If this occurs, and the mandatory car insurance was issued under the stolen personal data, a request for payment of a penalty for the absence of third-party liability insurance may be directed to the affected party,” it was noted.
For instance, they reference a resident of Piotrków Trybunalski, whose stolen identity was misused by criminals to forge purchase-sale agreements and insurance for 27 vehicles. A similar issue has arisen for a resident of Łódź, whose personal data was exploited 18 times. They highlight that the maximum fine for lacking third-party liability insurance for a passenger vehicle in 2025 is PLN 9,330. Therefore, the cumulative potential fines for 27 cars would total PLN 251,910, and for 18 vehicles, PLN 167,940.
„To prevent issues with calculating penalties for the absence of third-party liability insurance or overdue premiums, affected individuals must promptly inform the police in writing about the crime, and subsequently notify the Insurance Guarantee Fund and the insurance company,” experts advise.
