When you are traveling overseas your passport is one of the most important documents that you carry with you. A passport can be a prized item among some foreign thieves. But there are plenty of measures that you can take to avoid a stolen pass port and to keep safe and secure while traveling.
In the event that your passport is stolen you should contact the consulate or embassy of your country as soon as possible. It is a good idea to have their details noted down with your travel documents for the sake of efficiency if something does happen. Some countries have the capability for you to report your stolen passport online through the department of foreign affairs. It is essential that you report its loss so that it cannot be misused or your identity cannot be used for fraud.
Your reissued passport can most likely be delivered to the diplomatic mission where you are staying. In some circumstances you may need the help of the embassy to work out the best way for delivery to occur. You can work out these details when you visit the mission in order to fill in the passport application and pay for the replacement. Usually you also have to pay an extra fee for the lost passport.
When you are traveling you should keep your passport safe and sound by keeping it close to you at all times. The best way to do this is by putting it in a money belt around your belly. Never put your passport in a suitcase as you lose sight of these and thefts or loss is common. Don’t carry your passport in a day pack as these can be targeted by pick pockets or thieves.
When you have used your passport, put it back into your money belt immediately. If you leave it lying on a counter or table top, then you are increasing the chance of forgetting it or mislaying it. It is best not to leave your passport with hotel staff and if they request this, then offer them a photocopy. Your hotel room may be accessed by other people when you are absent so do not keep it there either.
Keep copies of your passport with you in case they are needed. It is a good idea as well to have copy of your visa for the country you are visiting if you have one. Scanning your documents and storing them in your email account is a good idea in case of stolen passport.
Be careful of your security when you are withdrawing money from ATMs or exchanging money at a currency exchange or bank. There are often thieves that wait around these areas looking for tourists to pick pocket or rob. Never count money in public and put it away securely in your money belt as soon as possible.
Simple safety and security measures while traveling in a foreign location can strongly minimize your chances of a stolen American passport or any other problems. It is always better to prevent a problem through vigilance and common sense regarding your U.S. passport, than to have to go through a bureaucratic tangle in another country. If you experience any problems then your national representative should be your first port of call every time.