The alert sounds like something you would only worry about in a Hollywood movie – but it’s all to real, say finance experts at Confused.com
Tourists are being warned they need to keep their passport safe from thieves in a new alert that sounds like something out of a crime movie. People are being urged to protect their passports and boarding passes – but the reason why is what is so striking.
Jessica Willock, personal finance expert at Confused.com said you could be a victim of something called re-selling if you are not careful. You may think people can’t re-sell a passport as it has your face on it.
However, that’s not what they’re after. It’s the details inside they’re keen on – and that could result in your bank account being drained.
She explained: “With news that stolen passports can be worth £4,000 to those reselling, it’s an important reminder to look after your passport carefully, especially when you are out and about in busy airports and holiday destinations. You might not realise it, but losing a lost passport or leaving your boarding pass with your named details on can result in fraudulent bank accounts being opened, credit cards taken out in your name or even loans secured without your knowledge.
“Our research finds that over half of UK adults (52%) say they’ve been targeted by scams, so travellers are being warned to be more vigilant with their valuable personal belongings.” With this in mind, the expert urges people to ensure you don’t share your passport online.
She also said never leave it unattended, even if you’re putting it down for a minute. She further cautioned: “You should treat your passport and boarding pass as if they were cash.
“Avoid posting them on social media, never leave them unattended, and use secure apps or encrypted storage for digital copies rather than open cloud services. If anything does go missing, act immediately by reporting it to Action Fraud and contacting your bank.”
By acting as quickly as possible, you can temporarily freeze your cards which can prevent others from taking out financial products in your name. It will also alert the bank and ensure that any transactions made can be stopped and monitored.
Willock concluded her alert by reminding other that “scammers rely on small mistakes from others” and summer is prime time for this to occur. This is because holidays are a time to relax and unwind, and you may have your guard down. You should always stay prepared and ensure you are being careful before you get to the beach to avoid any of this unwanted stress or potential cost.
Martin Lewis urges Brits to make two crucial checks on passports
In addition to the fraud warning, another money guru has also issued a passport warning. As reported by The Mirror, Martin Lewis has urged Brits to make two crucial checks on passports before going on holiday.
He cautioned: “If you have less than six months left, you might still be okay, but then you need to go and check the individual countries requirements.” The second check is the “one that catches people out”, Martin revealed.
He mentioned frequently receiving correspondence from members of the public who claim they’ve been refused entry onto aircraft or rejected at immigration control.
He posed the question: “Is your passport under ten years old? So you could have more than six months left, but your passport be ten years old and you can get turned back.”