A passport number can offer a wealth of information to those looking to steal identities. Your name, date of birth, place of birth and nationality are listed on your passport, making it easy for thieves to use this information for illegal reasons. A falsified picture would enable a thief to open accounts internationally and possibly steal money from you by using your information. Identity theft has increased in recent years -- according to a survey from Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft increased approximately 12 percent in 2009 and continues to rise.
You cannot travel from country to country without a passport. In the event that your passport is stolen, you will be unable to leave the country in which you are living or visiting. It is imperative that you contact the embassy or State Department and let them know. Keep a copy of your passport and birth certificate separate from your original passport in case it gets lost or stolen. Authorities will need identification to authorize a new passport.
Due to acts of terrorism, the government has become increasingly concerned with lost or stolen passports. If these passports are not tracked, there is a possibility that they could be used for illegal entry into various countries for criminal activity, including acts of terrorism. Memorizing your passport number could be helpful in the event that you do not have a copy of your passport with you. Also, if you do not report your passport stolen, your name could end up on a list of highjackers and terrorists because the U.S. government puts numbers that are unable to be tracked on a list of possible terrorists
If you are a U.S. citizen, there is a possibility that you would be denied re-entry into the country without your passport. Getting a new passport issued can take up to six weeks. However, there are ways to expedite the process in some cases by contacting the U.S. Department of State Passport Services. Also, if you are out of the country for over a year, a re-entry permit is needed in addition to your passport. To avoid the possible complications of having your passport stolen, the best thing to do is prepare yourself with documents that can prove your identity to the authorities.
