Posts Tagged ‘Stolen Passport’

Passports On The Evening News - Lessons You Can Learn From These Stories

Monday, August 30th, 2010

We all know that identity theft is a very serious problem these days and passports are a really big target for those who want to perpetrate this crime. A stolen passport can be altered and used by a terrorist or spy to freely enter the United States unnoticed. None of us want to make it any easier for someone to do harm to our citizens or our country so perhaps after reading some of these incidents, we will all be more careful with our passports.

Here are a few stories that will make my point. A forty one year old British citizen, John Skelton, attempted to get into the United States with a fraudulent passport that was issued in the name of Kurt Branham. Actually, Mr. Branham was dead and had been dead since 1994. He had a very important position in the Senate as he served as an aide to a United States senator. Exactly what Mr. Skelton was planning is unknown but it is certain he did not want to be detected.

A 29-year-old New York resident named Eugene Todie was a criminal who was on probation with the federal courts for criminal contempt. A counterfeit passport was used by Mr. Todie to leave and re-enter the United States several times. When apprehended, he actually was wearing an ankle bracelet for monitoring purposed. His explanation was that he wore it because he was a big Lindsey Lohan fan and since she had to wear one, he wanted to wear one, too. Now that was quite a story.

You may have heard about Lindsay Lohan’s own issues regarding passports. While she was overseas, she claimed someone stole her passport, making it impossible for her to return to Los Angeles where she could appear in court for missing numerous court ordered alcohol education classes. She allegedly tried to re-enter the country without a passport, but she was denied entrance. Whether you believe her story or not, it just goes to show that no one is immune from the passport laws. She was able to handle her American passport renewal emergency, but not without dealing with the consequences.

We all need to be aware that a passport is a very important document that verifies our identification and our citizenship. In the wrong hands, this document that enables us to enjoy international travel can become the key that opens the door for a criminal or terrorist whose only purpose is to do us harm.

As you can see by these varying news reports, passports are potentially harmful tools. If you are traveling abroad and your passport gets misplaced or stolen, there are things you can do to prevent it being misused. There are solutions to a passport renewal emergency, and dealing with it correctly is important to keep your stolen U.S. passport out of criminals’ hands. The best thing to do, however, is just be diligent. If you are protective of your passport and your identity, you are far less likely to be left dealing with an emergency.

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Adequate Preparation: Understanding What To Do If Your Passport Gets Stolen Overseas

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

We all know that during vacations, very little goes as planned. And when you’re one of the unfortunate few who are faced with missing or stolen American passports, it’s easy to panic. However, there are things you can do in order to ensure that you obtain a new one as quickly as possible so you can continue enjoying your vacation or so you can return home with as little delay as possible.

First of all, don’t panic. While it’s completely understandable that you’d be stressed, these scrambled thoughts won’t get you anywhere. Take a deep breath and realize that you can’t change the problem, but you can work towards a quick solution.

The next thing to do if you lose your passport is immediately contact the closest US embassy. Do not wait, and do not procrastinate. If your passport gets into the wrong hands, it could put you in very real danger. Identity theft has become an increasingly common problem all over the world, and passports prove to be an excellent tool for those looking to steal someone’s identity.

Once you’ve contacted the embassy, speak with someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section. They will go about invalidating your stolen passport. This means that no one can utilize it. After this, they will tell you exactly what you need to do to get back home, from getting a new pasports to passport pictures.

Report the theft to the local authorities, if applicable. They will file a report that only further ensures that your passport stays out of the wrong person’s hands. These reports are useful if you suspect your identity’s been stolen, as they are required by the embassy to issue reports.

Be sure to supply all the necessary information to the embassy in order to confirm your identity. You will need to provide your name, place and date of birth, when and where you were issued your passport, and also the passport number. Make sure to have this data in a secure place, as having it ready beforehand expedites your request and ultimately grants peace of mind. Also make sure someone in the United States knows that your passport has been stolen. Notifying them of any possible delays is always a good thing, and they might also be contacted in order to verify your identity.

In order to protect your passport, along with your money and other important items, you might think about investing in a little purse or a money belt to wear beneath your clothes. Thieves who are looking to commit a crime will most likely target those who have their passport within reach. So by keeping yours hidden, you drastically reduce the risk of theft.

Recently, a story came out in the news about Lindsay Lohan, our favorite train wreck. She claims her passport was stolen in France, leaving her unable to attend her DUI case in Beverly Hills, as well as her mandatory Alcohol Education classes. While this may or not be a valid excuse, she was able to obtain a new and valid passport quickly. These stories only go to show that this sort of thing happens all the time, and while it can be frustrating, there are solutions. And if you find yourself stuck in a foreign country someday with a stolen USA passport, knowing what to do is half the battle.

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Stolen Passport? Never Fear Because A Replacement Service Is Near

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

A stolen passport can feel like an invasion of privacy. A passport contains a wealth of personal information and losing it can feel like the loss of identity. Not to mention that without a passport no travel abroad may take place until it has been replaced. Someone who has his or her passport stolen while on vacation faces the added worry of wondering if re-entrance into the home country will be permitted. This situation could end up costing the traveler much more money and time than was ever intended when departing on vacation.

The federal government maintains a hotline for reporting stolen passports. In addition to making this call, the victim will need to complete a form reporting the situation. There is no government-provided quick replacement service for stolen passports. The person will have to go through the same passport application process as those who are applying for their first passport. The standard processing time is eight weeks, and the expedited service takes four weeks. Many times, this will be far too long for someone to wait, especially if travel is planned in the near future. There are private companies that offer processing within 24 to 48 hours if necessary.

These companies require that a few forms be completed in addition to the standard government passport application and stolen passport reporting form. The forms and instructions are housed on the company and government Web sites. The forms may not be submitted online because they require a handwritten signature, but they may be completed online then printed.

Along with the standard forms, there will be a need to provide identification proving not only who you are but also the travel itinerary. These are simple and should be items that are handy like a driver’s license and plane tickets. They will request secondary items of proof but these are easily faxed to the hotel or a local copy shop, if necessary.

Two identical color stolen pass port photos measuring 2×2 inches must also be provided. The photos must be recent and taken from a full front view. There are requirements regarding permitted attire so it is best to refer to these guidelines or have a professional photographer take the photos, in order to make sure that they will be usable.

Once all the paperwork is rounded up, there will be an 800 number listed on the website that will needed to be called. The provider will then give the information as to where it should be sent and how. The majority will use some type of private courier such as FedEx or their local equivalent.

These private companies charge additional fees for processing passport applications but it is a small price to pay in order to get back home. The fees range from approximately $150 for three-day processing to $300 for next-day processing. These charges are in addition to the government fees for passport processing. Several forms of payment are accepted, so the traveler should not have a problem making payment as long as the funds are available.

For travelers who find they have a stolen USA passport, there are several options for replacement. The most expedient is to use an independent company that provides expedited passport processing. These companies provide a convenient service for those in need. The new passport will be well worth the extra money paid for the rush processing.

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How To Protect Against A Stolen Pasport

Friday, February 26th, 2010

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 pasport so that you can travel with peace of mind. International passports can be sought after items among thieves in other countries.

 

In the event that your pass port is stolen you should contact the consulate or embassy of your country as soon as possible. It is a good idea to have their details noted down with your travel documents for the sake of efficiency if something does happen. Some countries have the capability for you to report your stolen passport online through the department of foreign affairs. It is essential that you report its loss so that it cannot be misused or your identity cannot be used for fraud.

 

If your passport is stolen, you should report it as soon as possible. You will need to have a replacement passport issued in order to be able to leave the country you are visiting. At the local diplomatic mission of your nation you will complete a passport application, have the interview done, pay the replacement fee and you may also have to pay an extra fee for the lost passport.

 

When you are traveling you should keep your passport safe and sound by keeping it close to you at all times. The best way to do this is by putting it in a money belt around your belly. Never put your passport in a suitcase as you lose sight of these and thefts or loss is common. Don’t carry your passport in a day pack as these can be targeted by pick pockets or thieves.

 

When you have used your passport, put it back into your money belt immediately. If you leave it lying on a counter or table top, then you are increasing the chance of forgetting it or mislaying it. It is best not to leave your passport with hotel staff and if they request this, then offer them a photocopy. Your hotel room may be accessed by other people when you are absent so do not keep it there either.

 

Keep copies of your passport with you in case they are needed. It is a good idea as well to have copy of your visa for the country you are visiting if you have one. Scanning your documents and storing them in your email account is a good idea in case of stolen passport.

 

When you are handling money try not to be conspicuous about it. At banks, ATM machines and currency exchanges be vigilant and put your money away securely as soon as possible. At locations such as these there are often thieves watching to find a mark. You should not count your money in public.

 

Simple safety and security measures while traveling in a foreign location can strongly minimize your chances of a stolen USA passport or any other problems. It is always better to prevent a problem through vigilance and common sense regarding your pass port, than to have to go through a bureaucratic tangle in another country. If you experience any problems then your national representative should be your first port of call every time.

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Lost Or Stolen Pass Port - Travel With Ease By Recovering It

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

The key to dealing with Lost or stolen passports lies in two things: quick action, and knowing what to do next. That is because your Stolen American Passport contains your personal information and therefore you need to have the information secured right away. You must act quickly the moment you realize that you Lost your passport or it was stolen from you.

You need to call the US Department of State immediately as soon as you find out that your passport is nowhere to be found. Calling them is fast and convenient, which is exactly what you want to do in cases like this. However, you may be unable to contact them outside of the office hours, during weekends, and federal holidays. There’s an alternative to this. You can send your report through the mail.

Sending your report by mail requires you to fill in Form DS-64. This form will contain your statement regarding your Lost passport. Because of this, you need to be thorough and accurate when filling in the items in this form. Make sure you don’t leave any important item unanswered before submitting this paperwork.

Once you are done filling in the DS-64, you will have to submit it. You have the option of sending it through the mail or submitting it in person. A personal appearance is required should you decide to submit this form along with your application for a new passport.

If you’re going to submit an application for a passport, you’ll need to fill in the Form DS-11. It is worth noting that you can already download both forms at the US Department of State’s website. You can fill in the form first on your computer then print it out, or print it out first then fill it in by hand later.

Your Lost Or Stolen U.S. Passport is invalidated once you report you have Lost it or it was stolen from you. The Department of State does this in order to prevent cases of identity theft. Once again, your passport contains your full name, birth date, address, and other relevant information that criminals could use to perpetrate a crime. Also, keep in mind that once your passport is invalidated, you could no longer request its revalidation. Thus, you will have to apply for a new passport.

Should your passport be stolen while you’re on a trip to a foreign country, you should act even quicker to have it reported. To do this, you need to contact the nearest US Passport or Embassy. The people there will then do everything to help you have your Lost passport replaced.

When dealing with a Lost Or Stolen American Passport, what’s important is that you should report it to the passport agency immediately. The sooner it is invalidated, the fewer chances it can be used by criminals for identity theft. So act quickly and stop potential problems in their tracks.

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