Passport theft is on the rise worldwide. Stolen US passports are
particularly valuable on the black market, making American citizens
especially vulnerable to passport theft. Of course, criminals need not
even steal your passport to cross borders under your identity. Identity
theft is one of the most problematic "white collar" criminal activities
in the United States. Cons need only to steal some basic information
about you and will be able to apply for a US passport in your name.
In
order to protect American citizens from the problems arising from
passport theft, the U.S Department of State launched a new partnership
in 2004. This partnership combines the efforts of the U.S. Department of
State, the U.S. Department of Justice and Interpol to
"contribute substantially to worldwide travel document security,"
according to Richard Boucher, spokesman for the U.S. Department of
State. The agencies involved have agreed to cooperate by sharing
information via an international database. Among data that is shared,
the agencies immediately invalidate any US passport that is reported
lost or stolen by its owner. Once invalidated, that US passport cannot
be used to enter or leave a country.
Part of the U.S. Department
of State's commitment to protecting Americans from passport theft
includes protecting their privacy. When a US passport theft or loss is
reported, only the most basic personal information is added to the
database. Not even the name of the US passport holder is shared.
Instead, Interpol databases carry only the passport number and country
of issuance of US passports reported stolen or lost.
The
international database also records and shares information regarding
other types of travel documents. Lost or stolen travel visas, identity
cards and more are all part of the international program. According to
Interpol, over 2,000 lost or stolen travel documents were identified
through this program between 2002 and 2006, including some US passports.
Naturally,
the system is only as good as its users. Protecting yourself from
passport theft must start with you, the passport holder. Some good tips
to remember include:
* Keep your US passport secure. When you are
traveling abroad, keep your passport on your person at all times. Carry
it in a concealed place if possible, like a money belt. Never leave it
in a hotel room. When you are at home, store your passport in a safe
location, preferably under lock and key. Another good option is to store
it in a bank safety deposit box.
* Report passport theft or loss
immediately. As soon as you realize your US passport is missing, contact
Passport Services at the U.S. Department of State if you are at home.
If you are traveling abroad, contact the nearest US Consulate or
Embassy. They will ensure that your US passport number is entered into
the international data base. They will also help you obtain
documentation to get home.
* Renew your US passport as soon as it expires. This helps to prevent someone else from applying for a passport in your name.
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