KUALA LUMPUR: A woman who lost her identity card in 2007 found out almost two decades later that someone had been using her personal information, when she learned that she had medical records at a hospital she had never visited and an outstanding phone bill in the thousands.
The 42-year-old website designer, who only wanted to be known as Tan, said she first became aware of the matter on Feb 11, 2025, when she visited a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu for a dental check-up.
She said staff at the registration counter told her that her details were already in the hospital's system, including the name of a man listed as her fiance, although she had never been married.
“I was very suspicious because I have never had a fiance in my life. I also did not know this man and had never lived at the Kuala Lumpur address stated in the record,” she said at a press conference organised by MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Seri Michael Chong at Wisma MCA here on Thursday (27 Aug).
Tan said she later discovered an outstanding telecommunications bill of RM2,487.65 registered under her details.
She said she lodged a police report on May 28 after learning about the outstanding bill.
Tan said police later informed her that her identity card had been used to obtain treatment at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur between 2008 and 2009.
Her details had also allegedly been used to register a telecommunications account in 2007, which was blacklisted in 2017.
Tan said police subsequently contacted the man named in the hospital records, after which she issued him a letter of demand.
“The man claimed the woman was his tenant, but there was no written tenancy agreement. He also said he had accompanied her to the hospital, where she was required to provide a next-of-kin contact,” she said.
Tan said the explanation only raised further questions as she had never met the woman and did not know how her personal information was obtained.
She added that the incident left her worried that her personal details could continue to be used without her knowledge.
“I just want to know who this woman is and how she was able to use my identity.
“I worry every day that someone could be using my identity or pretending to be me,” she said.
Tan said she has since lodged three police reports in Kota Kinabalu, Dang Wangi and Brickfields, as well as complaints with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Health Ministry and Personal Data Protection Department.
Meanwhile, Chong said his office had received 13 complaints involving the alleged misuse of lost identity cards over the past two years.
“We have received 13 cases involving the misuse of lost identity cards, with nine reported last year and four this year. These cases involved purchases, loans and other transactions, with amounts ranging from RM800 to RM73,000,” he said.
He urged those who had lost their identity cards to stay vigilant and check whether their personal details had been used without their knowledge.
Chong also advised the public to be cautious when sharing photographs or copies of their identity cards, particularly with private organisations.
Legal adviser Esther Hor said the consequences of losing an identity card could surface years later as personal data may remain in various systems.
However, existing laws provide avenues to address identity misuse, including provisions under the Penal Code and Personal Data Protection Act 2010.
“Individuals who lose their identity cards should lodge a police report immediately and keep the report as proof should any dispute arise,” she said.
Hor also urged organisations to strengthen their verification procedures and ensure personal data is properly protected.
“The protection has to work both ways. Individuals must protect their personal data, while companies and organisations must ensure proper verification before registering an account,” she said.
