Identity theft from travelers using passport data on the rise
Identity theft is becoming a common crime. Hackers use passport and other document data for illegal activities, such as crossing borders or acquiring bank loans in someone else's name. Cybercriminals simply need to obtain the full name, date of birth, nationality and ID number.
The Identity Theft Resource Center is seeing a disturbing increase in the number of data breaches, most of which involve sensitive personal information.
«When cybercriminals attack hotels, for example, they gain access to people's passports, with the risk that they will hijack customers' identities. In addition, passports and ID documents contain information that can be useful for social engineering. Fake IDs are later used to gain access to or leave the country, open bank accounts or hide from authorities," explains Daniel Markuson, Daniel Markuson, Digital Privacy Expert at NordVPN.
After stealing the credentials from passports, Internet hackers sell them on the black market. They use the data to create physical passports, their digital scans and finished ID templates. Prices are around $14,000 for physical passports. They can include passport data, a digital chip and other components, so they can be used in many countries. Proofs of identification, for example, a person holding a passport and a scanned copy, cost around $60.
There are ways to find out if your passport data is being exploited by criminals. According to the Department of Homeland Security, people entering and leaving the United States can track their international travel history. The system requires entering their first name, last name, date of birth and passport number.
However, the feature is not available in other countries.
Scammers may be using people's private data without the victims' knowledge. Therefore, it is important to take some preventative measures to ensure that your identity information is kept secure.