How to avoid problems if you need to use a copy of your passport on the Internet

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Simple rules will help protect your data and avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters.

Why is a copy of your passport in the wrong hands dangerous?

Before uploading a passport photo to an unfamiliar service or sending it to someone, you should make sure that your data is safe. Otherwise, you run the risk of facing one of the following problems.

1. A loan will be issued for you

Banks and decent microfinance organizations, of course, will not allow this. To issue money, the employee must make sure that it is the owner of the document who is applying for it. And a copy of the passport will not suit him - he will need the original.

However, there are compliant, unscrupulous MFIs who only need a copy. They are ready to issue loans remotely if the applicant sends a photo with a passport in hand. And this is not so difficult to do with a graphical editor. Finally, fraudsters can work directly in a bank or MFI and draw up contracts using someone else's passports.

Often, the victim is unaware of the loan or credit for a long time, until penalties, fines and huge interest accrue. Then she is found by the department of work with debtors, or even immediately by the collectors.

2. You will be registered with a fraudulent electronic wallet

Usually a phone number is enough to open it. But the set of operations and the volume of transfers will be limited until they are identified using passport data. Identity verification opens up great opportunities for fraudsters. For example, they can use multiple wallets to transfer stolen money from account to account and thus cover their tracks. It will be more difficult for the police to track the movement of funds, and if they do, they will come to you.

3. A company will be registered on you

Through fly-by-night companies, fraudsters can launder money, evade taxes, conduct other illegal transactions, or simply collect loans. The “owner” will have to be responsible for this.

4. A SIM card will be registered for you

A copy of the document can be easily edited and, instead of the victim's photo, "paste" the fraudster's photo into it. And then - to issue a SIM card in the communication salon. From this number, the swindler will most likely deceive people: to deceive bank card numbers and codes from SMS, promise to sell goods, and so on.

An attacker may not receive a new card, but reissue yours and continue to act according to the situation. If you have a lot of money in your account, they will try to withdraw it. And if the scammer is lucky, he will receive codes from SMS, only yours. Operators are now insuring against such a development of events and after replacing the SIM card they block incoming messages for a day. Banks also have protection against this. But anything can happen.

In addition, cybercriminals often manage to gain access to social networks and mail through a phone number, and sometimes information that is more confidential than passport data is hidden there.

5. It will be easier to deceive you and your relatives

Any person leaves a large informational footprint on the Internet. If the fraudster also gets his passport data, it becomes easier to deceive the victim and his relatives.

For example, distrustful parents will not react to a message like “Your son hit a man, but we will solve the situation for a bribe”. But if they are dictated to accurate data, panic can overpower the voice of reason.

In addition, there is scope for creating fake payments, tax notices and other documents.

How to safely use a copy of your passport online

1. Do not send a copy of your passport to just anyone

An obvious tip that many people ignore. Provide a copy or photo of the document only when you are confident in the interlocutor. It's one thing if you apply for a new place remotely and send a work book with an application for employment by regular mail, and copies of your passport and SNILS are e-mail. And it is completely different when you are just making an agreement with a potential employer about an interview via video link, and they immediately require documents from you. This situation looks suspicious.

2. Apply watermarks to the copy

Write in transparent letters what it is for. For example, if you go through identification in a payment service, indicate exactly that. To do this, it is better to use a photo editor on a computer or smartphone, rather than an online service.

Removing watermarks will not be easy, and it will not be possible to use the copy for fraudulent purposes with them. This does not save you from leakage of passport data, but it narrows the list of operations for the attacker.

3. Pay close attention to agreements on the processing of personal data

It is impossible to collect, store and transfer personal data of a person without his permission. Therefore, usually you are required to sign the appropriate document or at least put a tick in the required field. The agreement informs why you provide personal data and what will be done with it. If it does not exist at all, this is a reason to be wary.

What else can be done

Check your credit history periodically. This can be done twice a year for free. If you find unauthorized debt, deal with the organization that issued the loan in your name and involve the police.