What To Do When Your Passport Number Is Exposed in a Data Breach
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By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
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26 March 2025
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12 mins read
Our passport numbers, crucial identifiers for international travel and often used for verification, are at risk if exposed in a data breach. You could become the next target of identity theft.
Understanding the threats and knowing how to react is important to protect your identity and mitigate the damage. The blog covers the immediate steps you should take if you suspect or confirm your passport number has been compromised in a data breach and what steps you should take to prevent future data leakages.
4 Things to Do If Your Passport Number is Part of a Data Breach
If your passport number is leaked, you must follow a few critical steps to secure your data. Here they are:
1. Report the Incident Immediately
Contact your country's passport agency or the Department of State to report that your identity is being used by someone.
2. Notify Your Bank and Credit Card Companies
Keep a check on your bank statements and credit card usage. Plus, inform your bank or financial institution to prevent unauthorized transactions.
3. Take Steps to Protect Your Identity
Changing passwords for all your online accounts is essential, too. Try to prioritize the ones related to travel, banking, and email. Also, place a fraud alert with all credit bureaus.
4. Get a New Passport
You must also get a new passport. It is important to get a new passport because even if you get fraud alerts and credit freezes, the passport number itself is in breach and could be used for a malicious purpose.
Discover if Your Most Critical Identifiers Have Been Exposed on the Dark Web
Receive timely alerts and actionable insights with PurePrivacy's Dark Web Monitoring.
Is My Passport Number Found on the Dark Web?
Data breaches are a major source of stolen information ending up on the dark web. When companies or organizations with your data are compromised, your passport number, along with other sensitive details, can end up on the dark web.
PureVPN’s dark web monitoring tracks the critical identifiers that might have ended up on the dark web so you can take the necessary precautions before your sensitive data is exploited.
How to Enable Dark Web Monitoring on PureVPN
- Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
- Visit the Members Area to get access.
- Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.
- Select Add Assets to Monitor.
- Add your email address, Passport Number, credit card number, and Passport Number.
- Mention the code sent to your registered number, and you’re done.
7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach.
8. You can mark the breaches as resolved.
What Happens if My Passport Number Gets Leaked?
If your passport number is leaked, you are at risk of identity theft and related fraudulent activities. Criminals can exploit this information to
- impersonate you,
- Open fraudulent accounts,
- apply for credit, or
- create fake travel documents.
This can lead to financial losses, damage to your credit score, and complications with travel. Additionally, your passport number, combined with other personal details, can be used to facilitate illegal activities under your identity, causing legal and reputational harm. You must promptly report any suspected compromise and take steps to mitigate the damage.
How to Prevent Your Passport Number from Being Compromised in a Data Breach?
Managing your sensitive data requires continuous vigilance. To prevent your passport number from theft and misuse, you must
- Only share it when necessary, but only with legitimate services.
- Never share your details on unencrypted channels.
- Keep your passport safe when carrying it physically.
- Check for website security when entering your details online.
- Try not to use public WiFi while sharing your personal details.
- Monitor your passport number and other personal details for unauthorised sharing with PureVPN.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Can I be hacked if somebody has my Passport Number?
Yes. Your Passport Number alone could not be a cause of a hack, but it could be used with other data for identity theft, financial fraud, account takeover, and more.
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How do I know if my Passport Number is being used for fraud?
If you experience unexpected account activity, suspicious communication, a denied application, or a travel history that you do not recognise, then your passport number is being used for fraud.
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Can I change my Passport Number if it's leaked?
Yes, and you must do that. If your passport number is leaked, after taking preventive measures to avoid damage, such as a credit freeze and reporting to authorities, you must apply to change your passport.
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What to do if my Passport Number is on the dark web?
To determine if your passport number has been compromised, immediately use a dark web monitoring tool, such as PureVPN. You'll then receive expert guidance on the necessary next steps. Remember, data exposed on the dark web increases your risk; stay cautious.
Wrap Up
Your Passport Number is an important piece of information about you. Managing your data has become most important today! Monitor your data with PureVPN to make sure that your privacy is protected.
