Polish lawmakers have drafted legislation to tackle a growing problem with BLIK mobile payments reaching the wrong recipients when phone numbers are recycled and reassigned to new customers, according to Spider’s Web.
The issue arises when someone changes their phone number but fails to notify their bank, or when mobile operators reassign old numbers to new subscribers. If someone sends a BLIK transfer to the outdated number, the money can end up in the hands of a complete stranger who now owns that mobile line.
The proposed amendments to Poland’s Electronic Communications Law would create a legal obligation for mobile network operators to provide payment service providers with lists of phone numbers that have been freed up after contracts end and may be reassigned to different users.
How the system would work
Mobile operators work with a limited pool of telephone numbers. When a customer cancels their contract or dies, their number eventually returns to circulation and can be allocated to a new subscriber. The proposed mechanism would allow banks and other payment processors to continuously verify whether a phone number linked to a bank account still belongs to the original holder or has changed ownership.
According to the draft bill, this verification system would reduce the frequency of misdirected payments, though lawmakers acknowledge it would not eliminate user error entirely. From a customer perspective, the change would mean fewer BLIK transfers going astray due to outdated contact details.
Industry divided over who should bear the burden
The proposal remains at draft stage and has yet to become law, but it has already exposed a sharp divide in industry opinion. Mobile network operators have come out firmly against the plan, arguing that it places the entire burden of verifying and protecting the financial sector on telecommunications companies that do not themselves provide financial services.
Banks and payment processing firms including BLIK, by contrast, view the change positively. The split reflects the fact that one side would shoulder significantly more responsibility than the other under the new framework, Spider’s Web reports. Substantial revisions may still occur before any legislation is enacted.
What this means for Poles in Poland
If you bank with a Polish institution and use BLIK for mobile transfers, this proposed law could reduce the risk of your payments going to the wrong person when phone numbers are reassigned. However, the legislation is still in draft form and has not yet been passed by the Sejm, so no immediate changes are in place.
In the meantime, it remains essential to keep your bank informed whenever you change your mobile number. If you are sending a BLIK payment to someone else’s phone, double-check the number before confirming the transaction, particularly if you have not sent money to that contact recently.
For Poles living abroad who maintain Polish bank accounts and phone numbers, be aware that if you cancel your Polish mobile contract, your old number may eventually be reassigned. Notify your bank immediately of any change to avoid security risks and ensure that incoming BLIK transfers reach you rather than a stranger.
No timeline has been announced for when the draft legislation might be debated or come into force. Keep an eye on official announcements from your bank or payment provider for updates on new security measures related to phone number verification.
