What can someone do with your passport number? Common frauds, risks, and protection tips

Can someone steal your identity with your passport number?

Yes, passport identity theft is possible, especially when a stolen passport number is combined with other personal information. A passport number on its own may not be enough to open accounts or pass identity checks, but scammers rarely rely on a single data point. Instead, they often combine passport data with other personally identifiable information like your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, or Social Security number to build a fuller identity profile. 

Once criminals have gathered enough information, they may try to create fake identity documents, apply for loans or financial products, or open fraudulent bank accounts in your name. A passport scan is even riskier because it usually includes your photo, signature, nationality, date of birth, and passport issue or expiry dates. That gives fraudsters more information to copy, alter, or use in applications that require proof of identity, but early identity theft recovery can help reduce the impact of fraud and protect your personal information.

What can someone do with your passport number or a scan?

A passport number alone is less dangerous than a full passport scan, but it can still help criminals build a stronger identity profile, especially if they already have your name, date of birth, address, email, phone number, or financial information. That’s why passport data is often more useful as part of a larger fraud attempt and can be linked to different types of identity theft. 

Criminals may use your passport number or passport scan to:

• Open fraudulent accounts.
• Try to gain access to your bank accounts through account recovery, impersonation, or social engineering.
• Create a synthetic identity.
• Apply for government benefits in your name.
• Travel internationally or attempt cross-border identity misuse.
• Create forged or manipulated passports and other identity documents.
• Commit employment-related fraud.
• Send phishing messages or carry out impersonation scams.

A stolen passport number becomes even more concerning when it’s part of a “fullz” package (also known as a bundle of personal information that may include your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, and financial details). If you’re already worried about exposed data, it helps to understand what someone can do with your Social Security number and whether someone can steal your identity with your ID.

If your passport information has been exposed, criminals may attempt to misuse it in several ways. The table below outlines common types of fraud and their potential risks.

How can criminals steal your passport number?

Criminals don’t always need to steal your physical passport to get your passport number. In many cases, they get it through leaked records, fake forms, or phishing messages that trick people into handing over their details. Passport data may also be stolen alongside other personal information, which is why it helps to understand what information cybercriminals steal and how those other details can be used together.

• Data breaches: Travel agencies, hotels, airlines, visa services, job platforms, or document verification providers may store passport details. If one of these companies is breached or has weak data security measures in place, your passport number or scan could be exposed and later found online.
• Stolen physical passports: A stolen passport may include your photo, date of birth, nationality, signature, and expiration date, making it more useful for identity fraud.
• Bogus passport renewal websites: Scammers create fake renewal or visa application pages that look official. Once you submit your details, they capture your passport number, payment information, and other data.
• Compromised email or online accounts: If your email accounts or online accounts are hacked, attackers may gain access to stored passport scans, travel confirmations, or identity documents shared via email or cloud storage.
• Shoulder surfing: Criminals may observe your passport details when you enter them in public spaces, such as airports, hotels, or cafes. 
• Impersonation of travel agents: Fake travel agents or visa consultants may ask for passport details to “complete” a booking or application, then misuse the information.
• Access to passport applications: Mail theft, discarded forms, or poorly secured copies of passport applications can expose your actual passport number and supporting identity details.

What to do if someone has your passport details

If someone has your passport details, don’t panic — but act quickly. A stolen passport number doesn’t automatically mean someone can steal your identity, but it can become more dangerous when combined with your address, phone number, email, bank details, or Social Security number. Here’s what to do if a scammer has your passport details or you suspect your passport number was stolen: 

• Report the issue and ask about a replacement passport. If your physical passport was stolen or you shared a scan with a suspicious party, contact the relevant passport authority in your country. They can tell you whether you need to get a new passport. 
• Request a credit freeze with all three bureaus. If you’re in the U.S. and sensitive information was exposed, consider freezing your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening new credit accounts in your name.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Once identity thieves have your passport details, they may use them to make fake emails, calls, or texts sound more believable. Be careful with messages about visa issues, missed deliveries, account problems, or urgent travel payments.
• Secure your financial accounts. Monitor your credit and bank statements, and look for unfamiliar charges, account changes, password reset emails, or new accounts you didn’t open. It also helps to understand what someone can do with your bank account number if financial details were exposed.
• Sign up for identity theft protection. An identity theft protection service like Coveron offers dark web scans, helping you monitor for suspicious activity and respond faster if your personal information appears to be at risk. 

How to check if your passport number has been misused

Passport misuse isn’t always obvious right away. The signs often show up through strange account activity, unexpected messages, or records that don’t match your actual activity. 

• Check your credit reports. Look for unfamiliar credit inquiries, accounts, loans, or addresses. If a criminal used your passport details with other stolen information, credit activity may be one of the first warning signs. If you notice signs of fraud, you may need to file an identity theft report with the relevant authorities.
• Review bank and card statements. Watch for small test charges, new payees, failed login alerts, or account changes. If anything looks off, contact your bank right away.
• Search your email for suspicious activity. Look for password reset requests, travel bookings, account confirmations, or verification emails you don’t recognize. If your email was hacked, passport scans or travel documents stored there may have been exposed.
• Check your phone and email for targeted scams. If scammers know your passport details, they may contact you using information that sounds “official.” It’s also worth knowing what someone can do with your phone number and what someone can do with your email address because these are often used in phishing attempts.
• Look for signs of wider identity exposure. If your passport number leaked with your address, read up on what someone can do with your address and consider whether you need to remove your information from people-search sites through a data brokers' opt-out process process.

What is the best way to protect your passport number?

The best way to protect your passport number is to treat it like sensitive identity data. You don’t need to panic if your passport number is leaked, especially if it was exposed without a scan or other personal details. But you should still reduce the chances of criminals using it with other information. 

• Store your passport securely. Keep your physical passport in a safe place at home or in a secure travel pouch when you’re abroad. Don’t leave it in your luggage, hotel rooms, or shared spaces unless it’s locked away. 
• Limit when you share it. You should share your passport number only when it’s necessary and with trusted organizations. If you’re asking whether it's safe to give your passport number to a website or person you don’t know, pause and verify them first.  
• Be careful with digital copies. Avoid storing a scanned copy of your passport in unsecured email inboxes, shared drives, or public folders. If you need to send a copy, use a secure channel and avoid sending more information than required. 
• Reduce your exposed personal data. Criminals can do more damage when they combine passport details with other records. Tools like Incogni can help remove your personal information from data broker databases, lowering your digital footprint.
• Use identity theft protection. Coveron offers identity theft protection that can help you monitor for potential threats and respond faster if your personal information is exposed. It’s not a reason to share your passport freely, but it can add another layer of awareness when sensitive data is at risk. For a more detailed breakdown of protection steps, you can check out our how to prevent identity theft guide.

References

[1]: U.S. Department of State (2026) https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/renew-replace/report-passport-lost-stolen.html