Keeping Passports Out Of Bad People's Hands
It's common knowledge that very few things go as planned when on vacation. If you're one the many that have stolen U.S. passports, you should try not to freak out. However, you don't need to. There are things you can do to get a new one quickly, and with a new passport under your belt, you can get back to having fun on your vacation or get home with little hassle.
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.
After you've regained your thoughts, quickly contact the local United States embassy. Do not delay. If your passport gets into a criminal's hands, they can cause a lot of harm. Passports are prime targets of criminals because they are a tool of identity theft. This is an increasing problem, so if your passport got stolen, act as soon as possible.
You will need to talk to someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section when you reach the embassy. The first thing they will do is invalidate your stolen passport, meaning no one can use it. Next, they will let you know what exactly to do in order to go about getting your new U S passport and the necessary photos.
If your passport was stolen, be sure to report it to the local law enforcement. They will also create a report. This additional report goes towards making sure no one else uses your passport, and they are also used by the embassy in order to supplement their file on your stolen passport.
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.
Consider investing in money belt or a little purse that you can wear under your clothes. Those looking to steal identities are more likely to target those who have their important documents in conspicuous places, and by simply keeping yours out of sight, you reduce the risk of theft greatly.
In the recent news, Lindsay Lohan, the tabloid queen, claimed that her passport was stolen in France. In her case, this left her having to miss her DUI case in Beverly Hills, along with her required Alcohol Education courses. Regardless of whether or not this is true, she quickly and efficiently obtained a new pasports and got back to the United States in a timely manner. Many people go their whole lives without having to deal with something like this, but this story shows that it can happen to anyone. Being prepared is the best way to prevent theft, but if you discover you have a stolen U.S. passport someday, having this sort of knowledge at hand can help you get back home.
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