Cybersecurity Expert‘s Guide: What to Do If You Lose Your Passport
Losing a passport is every traveler‘s nightmare, but it‘s more than just an inconvenience. As a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience, I‘ve seen how lost and stolen passports open the door to identity theft and crime. Passport information is highly valuable to fraudsters and criminals. In the wrong hands, it can enable terrorism, human trafficking, and other nefarious activities.
According to the U.S. State Department, over 300,000 American passports are lost or stolen each year.^1 Stolen passports often end up for sale on the dark web. Criminals pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for scans of real passports to create forgeries.^2 A 2019 report by Comparitech found over 11,000 U.S. passport details for sale on dark web markets.^3
The Risks of a Lost or Stolen Passport
A passport contains sensitive personal information like your full name, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, and photo. Criminals value this data because it allows them to steal your identity, open accounts in your name, commit tax fraud, or create fake passports and travel under your identity. There have been cases of thieves using a stolen passport to cross borders illegally, smuggle drugs or weapons, and even commit terrorism.^4
Newer e-passports contain RFID chips that store your biometric information. While designed to be secure, researchers have demonstrated vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to clone the chip or steal the information.^5 Thieves may also try to social engineer their way to using your passport – calling an airline or hotel pretending to be you and using details from your passport as proof.
What to Do If Your Passport Is Lost or Stolen
Quick action is essential to prevent criminals from exploiting your stolen passport. As soon as you discover your passport missing:
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Report it lost or stolen to the U.S. State Department immediately. Call 1-877-487-2778 or submit the form DS-64 online.^6 This will invalidate your passport so no one else can use it.
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File a police report, especially if you suspect theft. This provides an official record.
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If abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They can issue a limited-validity, emergency passport to allow you to continue traveling and return home.
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Check for signs of identity theft. Be alert for any unexplained charges, new accounts, or other suspicious activity. You may wish to proactively place a fraud alert on your credit file.
Replacing Your Lost or Stolen Passport
To obtain a new passport, you‘ll need to apply in person and provide:
- Form DS-11
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- A new passport photo
- Applicable fees ($165 for a new book passport)^7
Routine processing currently takes 8-11 weeks. For quicker turnaround, you can:
- Pay an extra $60 to expedite processing to 5-7 weeks
- If you have urgent travel coming up in less than 5 weeks, call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule an appointment at a passport agency
- For emergency travel within 3 business days, go to the nearest passport agency without an appointment to request an emergency same-day passport
Cybersecurity Tips for Travelers
Beyond keeping close tabs on your physical passport, practice good cyber hygiene to protect your identity and data while traveling:
- Make digital and physical copies of your passport to store securely in the cloud and with a trusted contact back home
- Use an RFID-blocking passport case or wallet to prevent electronic skimming
- Avoid public WiFi, or use a VPN to encrypt your web traffic
- Beware of phishing emails or messages purporting to be from your airline, hotel, or the State Department asking for your passport details
- Keep your passport number off social media and unsecured websites
- Be wary of "visa services" asking for your detailed passport information
No one wants the stress of a lost passport disrupting their travel, but it happens. If it happens to you, jump into action to report it lost or stolen and apply for a replacement passport as soon as possible. In the meantime, stay alert for any signs that criminals may attempt to misuse your information. By acting quickly and taking precautions to protect your identity, you can minimize the impact and get back to your journey.
