Passport Fraud Threatens International Safety
Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Types of Identity Theft and other Identity Theft topics.
Passport Fraud Threatens International Safety
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, international travel has experienced changes in the way both people and their property are cleared for passage. Existing procedures were tightened and extra security measures have been added for everything from baggage checks, to non-passenger area restrictions, and to confiscation of items that could be used as weapons.
Of the most menacing types of identity theft, passport fraud could well prove to be cause for alarm. While credit card identity theft and bank fraud threatens individuals and upsets their personal history, passport fraud – at its most frightening level – has the potential to threaten the security and safety of entire nations.
If you've lost your passport, or if it has been stolen along with other documents, it is imperative that you report it immediately by contacting the U.S. Department of State (USDS) in Washington, DC. However, even if you do not own a passport but you have been the victim of identity theft, it is just as important to contact the USDS to alert them of the potential for possible use of your information to submit a fraudulent passport application.
For more information or to report your lost or stolen passport, contact the USDS online or send a notification letter to: U.S. Department of State, Passport Services, Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section, 1111 19th St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Lynne Christen |
