Prevent A Stolen USA passport And Keep It Secure
Sunday, January 31st, 2010Your 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 American 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 replacement passport needs to be organized as soon as possible or you will not be able to leave the country in which you are staying. The embassy or consulate will be able to accept your application, payment and you are likely to have an extra fee charged for the lost passport. Emergency passports can generally be issued in a couple of days.
There are several measures that you can take while traveling to keep your passport safe. The first one is to always keep your passport safe. The best place is close to your body in a traveler’s pouch around your stomach. Do not place your passport inside suitcases as they can easily be misplaced en route and do not place them inside back packs while you are out and about visiting places as these may be stolen or pick pocketed easily.
After you have used your passport put it away immediately. Do not leave it lying on counters or tables as you can very easily forget to pick it up again. If you are using your passport to change money, register at a hotel, at customs or in any other situation, do not let it leave your sight. You should also not leave your passport in your hotel room unattended or with the staff of the hotel.
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.
Be careful of your security when you are withdrawing money from ATMs or exchanging money at a currency exchange or bank. There are often thieves that wait around these areas looking for tourists to pick pocket or rob. Never count money in public and put it away securely in your money belt as soon as possible.
When you are on vacation having to replace a lost or stolen US passport is a problem that you do not need. Take all the necessary precautions with your pass port and you are much more likely to have a peaceful and uneventful trip for the right reasons.