Expat Community > Ecuador

DUNMOVN
Joined 2011
Posts: 1991

Passport theft a growth business

12 years ago

As the gringo population of Ecuador increases, passport theft is becoming a growth business--they are worth hundreds of dollars. I never carry my passport, but a color copy. Here is a another solution.

Passport Card. When I renewed my passport last year, I opted for an optional passport card. It is laminated, has my picture and all relevant information. It has a different number, but it doesn't matter to those who ask for a passport. I carry it in my wallet at all times and except for government requests, It functions very well. It is really used as ID when you are on a cruise ship according to US customs. The paragraph below is from the State Dept. website.

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

The cost is $30 and can be ordered from the US State Dept. website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

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