I am resurrecting this thread. I originally asked this in the context of hotels use of passport copies.

Most of us try to protect our SSNs, bank account numbers, PINs, etc. I am now asking a broader question. Is there any data on the passport face page that can be used nefariously? The issue came to mind because I purchased a SIM in Costa Rica. The kiosk man used my passport number when activating the SIM card. (He jotted it down and then called in to activate the SIM.)

He then made a demonstration of destroying the paper and he emphatically stated to me "do not give this SIM card away if it has an unused balance...destroy it...because if someone does something illegal involving the SIM card, I will be the one identified".

That got me thinking. .How dangerous is it to have passport data floating around?

Best wishes for the New Year!