My friend secretly used my resident registration number to open a mobile phone and didn't pay the bill. Isn't this identity theft? How should I respond?

Hello. I am an IT specialist attorney at Daeryun Law Firm.

Unfortunately, the case you mentioned is actually a frequently occurring identity theft case.

We see cases like yours, where resident registration numbers or copies of identification cards are leaked through acquaintances and others secretly open or contract financial and telecommunications services, as identity theft cases.

If you did not actually conclude the contract and identity theft is proven, you have no legal responsibility for the relevant fees.

However, to avoid paying these fees, active response is needed to prove the identity theft.

Also, if you lent your name to others to open a mobile phone and provided it for telecommunications use, charges of violating the Telecommunications Business Act may be applied, so you need to clarify that you were stolen from without your knowledge.

Your friend's actions are a crime of using another person's personal information without their consent to obtain economic benefits, so a criminal complaint can be filed at the police station for charges such as forgery of private documents, use of forged private documents, and violation of the Resident Registration Act.

You should first report identity theft to the telecommunications company, then file a criminal complaint at the police station and claim civil damages.

If necessary, Daeryun Law Firm will accompany you in legal procedures derived from this matter, such as drafting a criminal complaint.

In particular, Daeryun has expertise in this area, including being on the verge of filing a class action lawsuit related to the recent SKT personal information leak incident.

If you need consultation, please feel free to make a legal consultation reservation.