Protecting your personal information

One photograph of your ID leads to identity theft and criminal accounts.

What to guard

• Your residence number and card photograph
• Passport details
• Account numbers, card numbers, passwords
• Digital certificates and simple-authentication credentials
• Verification codes sent by text — never share them with anyone.

When to be careful

1. "Lend me your bankbook and I'll pay you" — such accounts are criminal and you will be prosecuted.
2. "Let me use your name" — for phones or company registration, the same applies.
3. "I'll do the identity verification for you" — never delegate it.
4. Links and apps from unknown sources — don't install them.
5. Public PCs and Wi-Fi — avoid banking on them. See wifi-public.

If your data is misused

1. Report to 118 (Personal Information Infringement Report Centre).
2. If identity theft is suspected, contact your bank and telecom provider immediately.
3. Report to 112.
4. Change all your passwords.
5. For financial identity theft, consult 1332.

Where to go

• 118 Personal Information Infringement Report Centre (KISA)
• 112 police
• 1332 Financial Supervisory Service
• www.pipc.go.kr Personal Information Protection Commission
• Your bank and telecom customer service

Questions people ask

My employer says they'll hold my passport. Your passport and residence card must stay with you. An employer taking them can be a problem. Consult 1350 or 1577-0071.

A landlord wants a copy of my ID. It may be needed for the contract, but write "for the ○○ contract only" on the copy so it isn't reused.

I'm getting sign-up texts from services I don't know. That signals identity theft. Check with your telecom provider and 118 immediately.

Should I protect my child's information too? Yes. Provide only what is necessary on school and academy forms.

Take care

Never hand your bankbook, debit card or ID to anyone, for any reason. Requests for a bankbook baited with a "high-paying part-time job" are criminal account fraud; the lender is prosecuted and the account frozen. Verification codes are never shared, not even with bank staff.

Related

scam-types · voice-phishing · online-scam · id-verification · phone-verification

Source

Personal Information Protection Commission www.pipc.go.kr / As of 2026-08