Let’s not tempt identity thieves

Only when acting with awareness we can protect ourselves against identity fraud – that was the advice given by Michał Serzycki, the Inspector General Data Protection on the Open Day organised on the occasion of the Identity Fraud Prevention Week.

The Identity Fraud Prevention Week is celebrated from 11 to 18 October 2009. On this occasion, the Open Day was organised in the GIODO Bureau on 14 October 2009. The following events took place on that day:

• lectures by experts,
• legal advice given by employees of the GIODO Bureau,
• competitions with prizes.

The lectures addressed both to adults and children could have been attended by all interested persons. The experts explained among others:

• which digital traces facilitating identity fraud we leave on the Web,
• how to ensure safe use of the Internet to children,
• how entrepreneurs shall protect personal data.

Additionally, educational and informational materials developed by GIODO, including a set of brochures from „ABC of personal data protection” series, were distributed.

The event aimed at highlighting the problem of identity fraud and in particular its causes and consequences, and as result raising the level of knowledge and awareness in this regard.

- During the Identity Fraud Prevention Week we would like to inform, educate and warn, because each of us can be affected by identity fraud - said Michał Serzycki at the press conference organised before launching the Open Day.

The event won big interest of Warsaw citizens, both younger and older ones. The meeting was also attended by journalists, whose presence ensured dissemination of information on how to conduct so as not to become a victim of identity fraud among a wide circle of persons.