| Passport theft is on the rise worldwide. Stolen US | | | | country of issuance of US passports reported stolen |
| passports are particularly valuable on the black market, | | | | or lost. |
| making American citizens especially vulnerable to | | | | The international database also records and shares |
| passport theft. Of course, criminals need not even | | | | information regarding other types of travel documents. |
| steal your passport to cross borders under your | | | | Lost or stolen travel visas, identity cards and more are |
| identity. Identity theft is one of the most problematic | | | | all part of the international program. According to |
| "white collar" criminal activities in the United States. | | | | Interpol, over 2,000 lost or stolen travel documents |
| Cons need only to steal some basic information about | | | | were identified through this program between 2002 |
| you and will be able to apply for a US passport in your | | | | and 2006, including some US passports. |
| name. | | | | Naturally, the system is only as good as its users. |
| In order to protect American citizens from the | | | | Protecting yourself from passport theft must start with |
| problems arising from passport theft, the U.S | | | | you, the passport holder. Some good tips to remember |
| Department of State launched a new partnership in | | | | include: |
| 2004. This partnership combines the efforts of the U.S. | | | | * Keep your US passport secure. When you are |
| Department of State, the U.S. Department of Justice | | | | traveling abroad, keep your passport on your person |
| and Interpol to "contribute substantially to worldwide | | | | at all times. Carry it in a concealed place if possible, like |
| travel document security," according to Richard | | | | a money belt. Never leave it in a hotel room. When |
| Boucher, spokesman for the U.S. Department of State. | | | | you are at home, store your passport in a safe |
| The agencies involved have agreed to cooperate by | | | | location, preferably under lock and key. Another good |
| sharing information via an international database. | | | | option is to store it in a bank safety deposit box. |
| Among data that is shared, the agencies immediately | | | | * Report passport theft or loss immediately. As soon |
| invalidate any US passport that is reported lost or | | | | as you realize your US passport is missing, contact |
| stolen by its owner. Once invalidated, that US passport | | | | Passport Services at the U.S. Department of State if |
| cannot be used to enter or leave a country. | | | | you are at home. If you are traveling abroad, contact |
| Part of the U.S. Department of State's commitment to | | | | the nearest US Consulate or Embassy. They will |
| protecting Americans from passport theft includes | | | | ensure that your US passport number is entered into |
| protecting their privacy. When a US passport theft or | | | | the international data base. They will also help you |
| loss is reported, only the most basic personal | | | | obtain documentation to get home. |
| information is added to the database. Not even the | | | | * Renew your US passport as soon as it expires. This |
| name of the US passport holder is shared. Instead, | | | | helps to prevent someone else from applying for a |
| Interpol databases carry only the passport number and | | | | passport in your name. |