Copy of passports lost...any potential problems?
 

I posted this on the Travel Tips forum, but thought perhaps this is the better location. Any help will be appreciated!

Last November a copy of our passports was stolen from an outside zipper pocket of a suitcase somewhere between Rome and Atlanta, via Amsterdam.

We thought we were carrying the suitcase on, but KLM refused to allow it, even though we had done so on the way over.

We didn't file a report since nothing of real value was taken.

Now we are planning our October trip to Spain and it has occurred to us that perhaps we should make sure the passports have not been compromised in some way. We, of course, still have the actual passports.

Do we have anything to worry about? If so, what should we do?

Thanks for any information or help!

Byrd

I'm guessing there's nothing to worry about -- the information on it is minimal (no address or SSN that identity thieves would need) and the photo is digital in State Dept records so it could not be the basis for issuance of a new passport for someone else. Have you tried the State Department to see what they advise?

kayd, We did look at the Stte Dept. websites last fall, and found no info about lost copies.

We thought then, and really still do, that all is well, but the idea of getting to the airport and hitting a snag with passports is scary!

Thank you for your help.

Byrd

In the future, you might want to e-mail yourself a copy of the passport as an attachment, which would then be available from any internet site. Not quite as convenient if needed but less likely to be lost while traveling.

Good idea, Michael. Thank you!

Byrd

If there's no information on the State Dept website about lost photocopies, but lots about what to do if the actual passport is lost, perhaps we can take that to mean the agency does not see it as a problem. At least we can hope that's the case.