Can Someone Steal Your Identity With Your Passport

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A passport can open up the world to you. But passport scams unfortunately are all too common. Most scams involve forged passports or passports obtained illegally past bribing regime officials. In one case you lot take a passport, someone posing as a government official might steal information technology from you and then demand money for the passport's return. If you suspect a passport scam, contact the advisable government officials. Yous should too commit to keeping your passport secure when you travel.

1. ane

   Confirm y'all meet the requirements for a passport. Information technology might audio bones, but you should simply apply for a country's passport if you qualify for one. Confirm that you satisfy the requirements for a passport by visiting your nearest consulate or embassy, where you tin can ask the staff about the requirements.

   • Avoid relying on government officials who say they take a "friend" or "contact" who can get you lot a passport even if you don't authorize.^[1] These scams typically involve bribing a government official, which is illegal. Although the passport may be legitimate, the methods used to obtain information technology are not.
   • These blazon of "grey market" passports are very pop in Republic of bulgaria, Kingdom of cambodia, United mexican states, and Paraguay.

2. two

   Take passports but in your proper name. A mutual fraud is to use the identity of a expressionless person to obtain a passport. You lot should never accept a passport that doesn't contain your name and correct personal information.

   • Also avoid applying for a passport where y'all are encouraged to provide fake documents, such as a faux nativity certificate.

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3. 3

   Pay attention to liars. Information technology is a major blood-red flag if a government official tells you something that contradicts the laws of the nation.^[ii] This person is lying to you and probably trying to scam yous.

   • Common scams involve economic citizenship programs. In many countries, you tin can become a denizen if yous invest a sure amount of coin to outset a business in the state. However, these programs should be public knowledge. Avoid someone who hypes an economic citizenship programme you can't find whatever data about.
   • The cheapest economical citizenship programs run about $100,000 per person and have v-effigy fees. It also takes several months to be accustomed by the programme. If someone promises lower fees or faster processing, and then recognize you are existence scammed.
   • You can ask about economic citizenship programs—and all other immigration laws—by visiting your nearest embassy or consulate.

4. 4

   Note if the application process is like shooting fish in a barrel. Most countries accept a rigorous awarding procedure for condign a naturalized citizen. You typically must spend a certain amount of time in the country and undergo a groundwork check. If the awarding process seems easy, and then information technology may be a scam.^[3]

   • When in doubt, talk to an clearing chaser who can ostend that the application process is legitimate.
   • In the United states, you lot can obtain a referral to an immigration attorney by contacting your nearest bar clan.
   • In other countries, you can find a qualified attorney by visiting your country's consulate or embassy. For instance, a U.K. citizen in Thailand should observe the U.K. embassy.

5. 5

   Don't renew your passport through tertiary parties. You should renew a passport through the government office that issued your passport. Only piece of work through them. Another common scam is for third parties to advertise that they can expedite the renewal procedure in equally trivial equally 24 hours.^[4]

   • Many of these scammers advertise through Google Adwords, so you'll probably run across their names at the tiptop of the results page.
   • Equally part of the scam, they usually have you fill out detailed forms that inquire for personal information. Scammers and then use this information.
   • These scam websites typically do not listing a physical accost and have 800 telephone numbers which no one picks upwardly.

6. 6

   Avert the "world passport." Some people might sell something chosen a "world passport," which they claim allows you to travel anywhere. Only a few countries recognize a world passport. To obtain this passport, you fill out an application and pay a fee.^[5]

   • The U.Due south. does not recognize the world passport, so don't purchase one expecting to proceeds admission into the U.S.
   • At various points in time, only a few countries take recognized the world passport. These countries have included Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and Zambia. It's non clear these countries would accept the globe passport today.
   • Avert the world passport at all costs. Instead, seek a legitimate passport from a country where you are a legally-recognized denizen.

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   Be wary of fake police officers demanding your passport. A common scam is for someone claiming to be a regime official to stop you and ask for your passport. They then try to extort money from you before giving it back. Some thieves volition dress up in uniforms that resemble the constabulary or other officials. Don't presume that because someone looks official that they are.

   • You should confirm that they are an actual government official earlier handing your passport over.^[vi]
   • Avoid handing your passport over, if possible. Pretend non to sympathize what the person is saying.
   • Faux confusion. Say, "huh?" and enhance your hands. Scammers volition move on to easier targets if you pretend not to know what they are saying.

2. 2

   Photocopy your personal details page. You only need to mitt over your passport in a few situations—crossing the border, boarding an international flight, etc. Withal, in other situations, someone will want to run across your passport to confirm personal data, such equally your name. You should make a re-create of the personal details folio of your passport for these situations.

   • Make the copy about the size of a credit menu and laminate information technology. The lamination will protect the copy from water or other harm.^[7]
   • Deport the photocopy with you. Information technology works just also at hotels and other places. If you lose the photocopy, so you can make another.

3. 3

   Show your passport to officials simply in public. Avoid handing over your passport in secluded areas. Instead, have the police officeholder or other government official accept y'all to their part or the police station. Turn over your passport there.^[8]

   • A police officer should have no problem taking you to the station if they have a legitimate reason for needing to see your passport.
   • Instead of showing your real passport, show your laminated photocopy. If they insist on seeing the original, insist on being taken to the police station.

4. 4

   Store the passport deeply. Find a safe, dry out place to store your passport when you are home.^[nine] For instance, store it in a home safe or safety deposit box where it will be safe from fire or h2o damage—and thieves.

   • When travelling, store your passport in the safe at your hotel room.^[ten]
   • If your hotel room doesn't take a safe, ask the concierge if they can lock it in the hotel safe. Alternately, you could lock information technology in your luggage and then lock the luggage to an immovable piece of furniture like the bed.^[11]

5. 5

   Carry your passport securely. Avoid carrying the passport in your back pocket or leaving it otherwise exposed in your backpack. It volition be a tempting target for thieves.^[12] Instead, carry the passport in in your coin belt.

   • Yous tin can also carry information technology in any place that is zipped upwardly and out of sight. For example, zippo it in an inner jacket pocket.
   • If you want to carry your passport in a purse, so wear the handbag across your body, which makes the purse harder to steal.^[13] Don't but sling information technology over your shoulder, where a thief can pull information technology off.
   • Every adult should acquit their own passport. This makes it harder to steal them all at once.

6. half-dozen

   Store a scanned version online. If you always practise lose your passport, yous'll want to retrieve a digital copy to prove your identity. Scan the passport and store information technology online.^[fourteen] For example, you can email the digital copy every bit an attachment to an online-based e-mail business relationship, like Yahoo or Gmail, which you can access from anywhere.

   • While scanning your passport, you should also browse other critical travel documents, such as a long-term visa.
   • Y'all can likewise transport a scanned version to a friend or family member, who can retrieve information technology if necessary.

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1. 1

   Report fake officials to local police force enforcement. If you are travelling, and then contact local law enforcement if someone posing every bit an official tries to steal your passport. Accept a ready clarification of what the person looked like and other identifying data, such as the proper name they used.

2. 2

   Report passport scams in the U.s.. The Land Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security investigates the fraudulent acquisition, issuance, and employ of U.South. passports. If someone tries to sell you a fake U.S. passport, so report them. Use the Consular Diplomacy "Contact Us" webpage, bachelor here: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform.

   • If the scam involved the Net, and so study to the Federal Bureau of Investigations at http://world wide web.ic3.gov.
   • If the scammer used a sure website, then contact that website's administrator.

3. 3

   Study passport fraud in the U.K. The Identity and Passport Service will investigate passport awarding fraud. You lot tin can reach them at 0300 222 0000 Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Report anyone selling fraudulent U.Yard. passports.

   • On weekends and holidays, the hours of operation are nine:00 am to 5:30 pm.

4. 4

   Written report passport scams in Canada. If your passport is stolen in Canada, and so contact your local law and the Passport Canada part. Yous can call the Passport Canada Office price costless at 1-800-567-6868.^[15]

   • If you were outside Canada when the theft occurred, and then contact your nearest Canadian government office away.^[xvi]
   • You can find your nearest office abroad by visiting https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates. Click on the country where y'all are located.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Tin can I apply for my passport online or do I need to use the awarding from a post office and send it in?

  

  Yous should bring all proper documentation to the mail office. Also bring a recent photograph.

• Question

  If someone asks for a scanned copy of my passport for a job, is that legal?

  

  Yes, and this is a fairly standard procedure for some companies.

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