Why do thieves steal passports?

More dangerously however, the passport can be used to travel under a fake, “clean” identity. Needless to say, this is a vital tool for criminal gangs such as human traffickers and drug smugglers. These days, the use of stolen passports has become an incredibly commonly used tool for terrorists targeting the west.

What do I do if my passport number is stolen?

To report your passport is lost or stolen, you have three options:

1. The fastest way is to use the wizard to submit form DS-64 online.
2. By phone: call toll free at 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793)
3. By mail: use form DS-64 (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) and mail it to the address on the form.

Can someone else use my passport?

Passports numbers can be used in conjunction with other pieces of personally identifiable information (PII) to commit criminal identity theft.

What information is on the passport?

Passports contain basic identifying information, including surname and given names, date of birth, type of document, document code, nationality, place of birth, sex, date of passport issuance and the passport expiration date.

Why would a passport be flagged?

Originally Answered: what does it mean a flagged passport? It means that person holding that passport is supposed to be stopped by customs and/or immigration officials when entering a country and either denied entry into the country or taken into police custody for subsequent interview.

Is giving out passport number safe?

The answer to the question of whether it is safe or not to send your passport via email is that while it is common practice, it is NOT completely safe. Sending your passport details (or any of your personal information for that matter) is not risk-free.

Is the thief always the correct passport holder?

However, this isn’t always the case. Passports are incredibly valuable to organized criminal gangs and with the right know-how they can make it very easy to “prove” who the correct passport holder is i.e. the THIEF.

What happens if your passport is lost or stolen while overseas?

The good news is it’s not the end of the world if your passport is lost or stolen and you’re overseas, it’s unlikely you’ll be implied in the next big terrorist attack or engaged in serious international crime and you will be able to get home. Especially if you follow the correct steps as quickly as possible.

What’s the best way to protect your passport from theft?

There’s a solution: Clever Travel Companion’s smart, anti-theft travel gear. Simply wearing one of these garments eliminates every single problem listed above and even better, ensures you and your passport will stay safe and out of harms way for the duration of your trip.

How can you tell if your passport has been damaged?

Worn or curling edges of the pages. After your passport has been around the world a few times, the edges of the pages might soften, like those of a much-loved book. This damage isn’t bad enough to be considered mutilated, but you should renew your passport to get a fresh book.