Hi All,

Just last week I went through the stressful experience of losing or having my wallet stolen in the supermarket. Did the normal stuff like going to my bank and having all my debit cards cancelled and reporting what happened and having my accounts blocked. Also filled out a police report as well but the worst thing, is that I also lost my passport and SIP card as well. I`ve now cancelled my UK passport with the embassy here in Spain as well.

My only concern now, is that if my passport fell into the hands of a thief that specializes in identity theft that they could open up new accounts in my name and even worse apply for loans or credit cards.

Is there a central credit agency in Spain that I could put an alert with, to stop any future fraud that could be carried out in my name?

Hi

Don't just think Spain - think England as well - make sure you cancel there too; and why not try the British Consulate - they are excellent in times of troubles

Dave

You've done everything you need to do, I can't think of anything else. If someone tried to steal your identity now, it would be picked up by the various agencies concerned. I may be wrong, but I don't think there's a central agency for your concerns. I would carefully retain all the documentation relating to the theft of your property, especially the police report.

Forgot to mention that, I also informed my UK bank as well.

Now that my stolen passport is cancelled, I hope that anybody applying for something in my name with the stolen passport would not be able to do so. I hope credit agencies check the current validity of these documents.

As you said above, proof of the theft with the police report, along with the cancelling of it with the UK embassy I hope should be sufficient.

It`s just that identity theft is a big thing these days and to hear that people can create identities with just details from old bank accounts and the like that have been thrown into rubbish bins, makes it a worry when something like a passport can be had.

personally I would never carry my passport, if you go to any solicitor and ask for a notarised copy it will only cost approx. 10 euros. They take a photo copy and the notary stamps it. Everyone including the police accept this and it is easier to carry an A4 piece of paper than a passport. If you are unlucky enough to lose it then you just get another copy. Saves all the problems of getting a replacement passport.

The police can ask for ID and if you do not carry your passport you can be legally detained until some kind person takes it to the police station.
I always carry mine when I leave the house. ;-))

a notarised copy is a legal ID, the only time it won´t be accepted is when buying or selling property. Saves the problem of having to apply for a new passport if lost or stolen.

Maybe you should tell the Guardia and the British Embassy, they advise always carry your passport in a foreign country. ;-))

I certainly don't carry my passport around, much to risky especially if you go shopping in the markets, I always show my Spanish driving license which has all of the info necessary and I have always found it acceptable. If only we could still have the ID card.

That is true, at least they know you live in Spain. ;-))

I had laminated photocopies of all my important documents which I carried around with me with the originals at home, having once lost my wallet, luckily found where it had been lost and returned within an hour, I found that no questioned the photocopies, but if I knew I would need the documents, like at a bank, then I took the originals.