Lost Passport and Debit Cards
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39
Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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?
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?
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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
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
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
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.
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 196
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
#7
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
I always carry mine when I leave the house. ;-))
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 196
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
#9
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
Maybe you should tell the Guardia and the British Embassy, they advise always carry your passport in a foreign country. ;-))
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: conil de la frontera
Posts: 363
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.
#12
Re: Lost Passport and Debit Cards
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.