Your passport is one of the most valuable documents that you have
with you when you are traveling abroad. You need to take measures to
protect against a stolen passport so that you can travel with peace of
mind. International passports can be sought after items among thieves in
other countries.
If you have your passport stolen, then you
should get in contact with the local diplomatic mission, consulate or
embassy closest to you. To be prepared for an event such as this, you
should have the details of your passport and other travel documents
copied or noted down elsewhere. There are some foreign affairs
departments in some countries that have an online service for you to
report your stolen passport. It is essential that you do this quickly to
avoid anyone using it fraudulently.
Your reissued passport can
most likely be delivered to the diplomatic mission where you are
staying.
In some circumstances you may need the help of the embassy to
work out the best way for delivery to occur. You can work out these
details when you visit the mission in order to fill in the passport
application and pay for the replacement. Usually you also have to pay an
extra fee for the lost passport.
In order to prevent a stolen
passport, there are several things that you can do. Keep your passport
secure at all times. The best way is to have a money belt underneath
your clothes while you travel and use this. Never keep your suitcase in
your hotel room or in a suitcase as suitcases are often lost or stolen.
You should not place your passport inside a daypack either as these can
be pick pocketed or mugged as well.
A soon as you have used your
passport put it back in your money belt. Never leave them lying around
on benches, counters or tables as it is very easy to leave them when you
walk away. When presenting your passport to check into a hotel,
changing money, getting through customs or anything else, make sure that
you keep it in your sight at all times. It is not recommended that you
leave your passport in your hotel or with the hotel staff.
Keep
photocopies of your passport and other important documents. If you need a
visa for the country that you are traveling through, you should also
take a copy of this. A good way to store them is to scan them into your
computer and have them stored in your email account so that you can
always access them.
As well as preventing a stolen passport, you
should also be careful with your financial transactions. Be alert when
you are withdrawing money from an ATM machine, using a currency exchange
or visiting a bank. Put your money away quickly and do not flash it
about, there are often thieves that prowl these areas looking for
unsuspecting victims.
When you are on vacation having to replace a lost or stolen passport is a problem that you do not need. Take all the necessary precautions with your US passport and you are much more likely to have a peaceful and uneventful trip for the right reasons.
