Originally Posted by
GUWonder
The only passport thefts that have hit my relatives have taken place at hotels, and most of those involved being swiped from hotel safes. It sort of surprised me at first consideration; but, given passports are more likely in many countries to be left at the hotel than carried locally, I am not exactly surprised. But this does indicate that passport theft at hotels is a problem, and it indicates this to even those not aware of what goes on at our embassies/consulates because of this..
They must be after US passports then.
Because in the last few years, I have probably about ~1000 nights in hotels/hostels/guesthouses of various degree of shadiness in 130+ countries, and I rarely even use the safe - only maybe 20% of my nights are at what work travellers would call reputable "brand name" western chains.
The only time I've ever heard of passport thefts is when the silly person took it out on the town with the rest of their belongings in a pouch/money belt