What can scammers do with someone else’s passport. What can scammers do if they know the series and number of your passport? How do passport data get to scammers


Each document that proves your identity should be given close attention. Especially when it comes to passport data. All personal information provided in this document must be kept secret from strangers. Indeed, today there are various ways that allow fraudsters to use this information for their own purposes. Lawyers advise once again not to dictate your personal data without any special reason. The same applies to your phone number and bank card. What this can lead to is described in “Can fraudsters withdraw money from a card knowing only the card number.”

What can fraudsters do with passport data without a passport?

All lawyers say that no one can do anything with your passport data. Otherwise many people would use it. Even a copy of the passport has no legal force. Only the original. The original, together with your signature, opens up wide opportunities for fraud. Otherwise, it is impossible to do anything that would cause damage to the owner of the passport data.

Passport data and SNILS in the hands of scammers

Every Pension Fund scammer asks for data and SNILS from residents of houses. This is necessary to transfer a funded pension to another organization. For recruiting one person, an employee receives up to 5,000 rubles. Part of the funds is received after the actual transfer of the client. If a non-state fund receives a new client, the funds can be invested at its discretion. They can be increased many times over and the initial amounts can be paid back to citizens. However, such an outcome of events can be beneficial even to deceived citizens who pay huge commissions to the state Pension Fund of the Russian Federation.

What can fraudsters do when transferring passport data and card numbers?

As with the transfer of passport information, scammers will not be able to do anything. In addition to your full name and card number, you need to know the expiration date and CVV. But when concluding a contract with a banking organization to issue a card, the contract carefully states that such information, except for the card number, cannot be provided to a third party.

Fraudsters found out your passport details - what to do?

Do everything to avoid identity theft on the Internet:

  • Before transmitting information, look at the security of the connection. The address bar should say HTTPS. In some social networks it is enabled separately;
  • Change your passwords from time to time. Write complex ones. Better yet, install a password storage on your computer, and then use a generator to create;
  • Use two modes to log in to a social network and mail. Via password and via SMS. Of course, it takes longer, but getting your personal information will be much faster.

If the law on the protection of personal data is violated, individuals will be punished under article. A fine of 500 rubles is provided for individuals.


If your personal data was transferred to a third party, this is a crime under article.

If your passport was stolen, immediately get a new one. If possible, passport data should not be shared with anyone. Even if it only takes a few hours for a third party, it is necessary to note the fact of the transfer. If an unpleasant situation arises in the future, it will be much easier to find scammers.

An enterprise can be registered to a person without his knowledge. If you find out about this, immediately contact the police and the tax office. Registration of an enterprise using someone else's data is considered a criminal offense.

In any situation where the key point was the transfer of data by fraud or by a third party, contact the police. Write a statement to your local office. State the essence of the problem.

(3 ratings, average: 3,67 out of 5)

Read more

Have you encountered a violation of your rights when purchasing goods in an online store? Don't worry prematurely. The Consumer Rights Protection Law explains in great detail the actions of the buyer and bringing the seller to civil liability. It also tells you where to go if such violations occur. 1 Deception in an online store - how to avoid 1.1 What to do if you are deceived on Avito...

Many future drivers enter into an agreement in order to calmly receive a vehicle without any problems. However, scammers can often be found in the market among both buyers and sellers. There are various situations when citizens consciously want to protect themselves from scammers and have no idea how to do this. There are standard scams that you should be aware of...

A friendly owner, fresh renovations, an attractive price - all these criteria are not a reason to immediately move into an apartment, much less pay several months in advance. Be careful, because there are scammers operating in the real estate market. 1 Deception of scammers in renting an apartment1.1 How to rent an apartment for a day without being deceived?1.2 How to rent an apartment for a long period so as not to be deceived?1...

If scammers have become the owner of your mobile phone number, they already have the opportunity to steal money honestly deposited into your account. Cards (if there is an account number) such as Mastercard Standart, Visa Classic and other types from which you can pay for your services via the Internet are also subject to a similar reception. Therefore, the question often arises: can a fraudster, knowing only the card number, withdraw...

Good afternoon Marina. In accordance with Article 9. Federal Law of July 27, 2006 N 152-FZ (as amended on July 21, 2014) “On Personal Data”

Article 9 Consent of the subject of personal data to the processing of his personal data
1. The subject of personal data decides to provide his personal data and consents to their processing freely, of his own free will and in his own interest. Consent to the processing of personal data must be specific, informed and conscious. Consent to the processing of personal data can be given by the subject of personal data or his representative in any form that allows confirmation of the fact of its receipt, unless otherwise provided by federal law. If consent to the processing of personal data is received from a representative of the subject of personal data, the powers of this representative to give consent on behalf of the subject of personal data are verified by the operator.
2. Consent to the processing of personal data may be withdrawn by the subject of personal data. If the subject of personal data withdraws consent to the processing of personal data, the operator has the right to continue processing personal data without the consent of the subject of personal data if there are grounds specified in paragraphs 2-11 of part 1 of Article 6, part 2 of Article 10 and part 2 of Article 11 of this Federal Law.
3. The obligation to provide evidence of obtaining the consent of the personal data subject to the processing of his personal data or evidence of the existence of the grounds specified in paragraphs 2 - 11 of part 1 of Article 6, part 2 of Article 10 of part 2 of Article 11 of this Federal Law rests with the operator.
4. In cases provided for by federal law, the processing of personal data is carried out only with the consent in writing of the subject of personal data. Consent in the form of an electronic document signed in accordance with federal law with an electronic signature is recognized as equivalent to consent containing the personal data subject’s handwritten signature in writing on paper. The written consent of the personal data subject to the processing of his personal data must include, in particular:
1) last name, first name, patronymic, address of the subject of personal data, number of the main document proving his identity, information about the date of issue of the specified document and the issuing authority;
2) last name, first name, patronymic, address of the representative of the subject of personal data, number of the main document proving his identity, information about the date of issue of the specified document and the issuing authority, details of the power of attorney or other document confirming the powers of this representative (upon obtaining consent from the representative of the subject personal data);
3) name or surname, first name, patronymic and address of the operator receiving the consent of the subject of personal data;
4) the purpose of processing personal data;
5) a list of personal data for the processing of which the consent of the subject of personal data is given;
6) name or surname, first name, patronymic and address of the person processing personal data on behalf of the operator, if the processing will be entrusted to such a person;
7) a list of actions with personal data for which consent is given, a general description of the methods used by the operator for processing personal data;
8) the period during which the consent of the subject of personal data is valid, as well as the method of its withdrawal, unless otherwise established by federal law;
9) signature of the subject of personal data.
5. The procedure for obtaining, in the form of an electronic document, the consent of the subject of personal data for the processing of his personal data for the purpose of providing state and municipal services, as well as services that are necessary and mandatory for the provision of state and municipal services, is established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
6. In case of incapacity of the subject of personal data, consent to the processing of his personal data is given by the legal representative of the subject of personal data.
7. In the event of the death of the subject of personal data, consent to the processing of his personal data is given by the heirs of the subject of personal data, if such consent was not given by the subject of personal data during his lifetime.
8. Personal data may be obtained by the operator from a person who is not the subject of personal data, provided that the operator is provided with confirmation of the existence of the grounds specified in paragraphs 2 - 11 of part 1 of Article 6, part 2 of Article 10 and part 2 of Article 11 of this Federal Law.

Your data can be used and checked (processed) only with your personal consent, and revoked in the same way. Using your data without your consent may result in criminal liability under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation

1. Fraud, that is, theft of someone else’s property or acquisition of rights to someone else’s property through deception or abuse of trust
- shall be punishable by a fine in the amount of up to one hundred twenty thousand rubles, or in the amount of the wages or other income of the convicted person for a period of up to one year, or by compulsory labor for a term of up to three hundred and sixty hours, or by corrective labor for a term of up to one year, or by restriction of freedom for a term of up to two years, or forced labor for a term of up to two years, or arrest for a term of up to four months, or imprisonment for a term of up to two years.

A passport is the main document of a citizen of the Russian Federation. When using an original or a copy of a document, care must be taken. You should not provide your passport information unless necessary. It should be remembered that information can be used. Modern realities provide unscrupulous citizens with a whole list of ways to use other people’s information. To protect yourself, it is important to know in advance how fraudsters can use your passport information. The list of frauds is not limited to classic obtaining a loan. We will talk further about the methods that fraudsters can resort to to steal data, the illegal use of information and methods to prevent the theft of information.

Passport data can be used for registration on the casino website or other Internet pages. The easiest way to protect yourself is to carefully handle the document. However, even in this case, there is a possibility that scammers will get hold of important information. The chance of information theft can be minimized.

Current legislation allows a citizen to monitor all passport transactions performed by government employees. There are other ways to deal with scammers. To study them all, you need to familiarize yourself with the latest information on the topic in advance.

Experts advise handling your passport carefully. You should not trust your data to other people. A similar rule applies not only to passports, but also applies to other documents, such as SNILS. You need to monitor not only the original document, but also its copies. Photographs of papers must not be allowed. The information they contain is sufficient to commit an unlawful act.

Important! The main question that concerns citizens who have allowed their data to leak to third parties is whether fraudsters can take out a loan using their passport data without the passport itself? Experts say that such fraud is possible. Today there are many companies operating online and providing loans based on the information contained in the main document of a citizen of the Russian Federation. To apply for a loan from such a company, a copy of the document or information contained in it is sufficient.

There are a number of other illegal actions for which a citizen’s passport data is used.

Having received information from a photocopy or original passport, the fraudster will be able to carry out the following manipulations:

  • carry out fraud online,
  • gain access to a credit or telephone card,
  • make duplicate documentation for various transactions,
  • register a company,
  • obtain housing rights,
  • receive loans from microfinance organizations,
  • borrow money from private individuals,
  • carry out other illegal manipulations.

Most actions are difficult to complete. However, they are all possible. For this reason, a citizen who transfers passport information to third parties must understand all the possible consequences of such an action.

If a person has become a victim of fraud, he usually discovers that he has taken out a loan or a registered company.

Pay attention! Usually a company is created to perform fraudulent manipulations. Using passport data, a person is appointed to a leadership position. In this situation, the person on whose behalf the manipulations were carried out may be held liable for all actions performed by the company. Loans will also have to be repaid.

In this situation, a person can apply to the court. However, the proceedings often last several years. The court's decision depends on the individual nuances of the incident.

Ways to steal a copy of your passport

Various government agencies often require a copy of your passport to perform the required action. This gives scammers a free hand. They can collude with third parties copying the document and steal data.

Important! Today on the Internet you can find offers that allow you to get a copy of your passport for a few dollars. For this reason, you should be extra careful when making a photocopy.

Even the most trusted organizations can become sources of information leaks. You can perform a number of illegal actions if you know the document number. No other data is required.

Information theft can be carried out:

  • bank employee,
  • mobile phone salon specialist,
  • collector.

Often, passport data falls into the wrong hands during dismissal. An offended person with access to information can easily pass it on to another person. This leads to the fact that scammers can steal the passport data of any person.

How to protect yourself from illegal actions?

The increasing frequency of passport data fraud creates a need for information protection. Today, there are several ways to protect information from theft. The simplest and most effective of them is vigilance.

If a person is forced to hand over his TIN or passport to a government agency employee, he is allowed to observe all the actions of the specialists. This right is present in the following situations:

  • processing a bank loan,
  • carrying out exchange transactions,
  • scanning or making copies,
  • putting stamps in the passport,
  • other manipulations performed with the data of the main document of a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The rights of every person are protected by law. If a citizen's passport data has been stolen, the fraudsters can be prosecuted.

Important! As soon as a person begins to suspect that his personal data has been stolen, he should immediately contact law enforcement agencies. This will prevent possible negative consequences.

If a person has discovered that personal data has been stolen, he can go directly to court. However, the proceedings will take a long time and require a lot of effort. Proving a fraudster is not always easy. To prevent unpleasant consequences, it is worthwhile to carefully monitor your personal information in advance. By being vigilant, a person will protect himself as much as possible from theft of passport data.

Fraudsters have always tried to obtain passport data, which contains information about the owner. Today, thanks to new technologies, criminals who have the data of the passport holder can cause material damage to a person. Many lawyers argue that passport copy fraud is common in Russia and other CIS countries, so you should be vigilant and keep your data secret. Let's figure out what scammers can do with a copy of a passport, what options there are for criminals to use this information, and how realistic this possibility is in general. This will be discussed further.

What can scammers do with a copy of your passport?

It is not at all necessary for the fraudster to have the original passport; it is enough to have only a photocopy. You can also take possession of the data in any other way, which is not a difficult enough task. Please note that scammers can use the information received immediately, or they can wait for some time. In any case, this may result in material damage for the owner of the document.

Of course, there may be different conditions for committing a crime, but if the circumstances are favorable for the criminal, then he will be able to:

  1. Get a loan from a bank.
  2. Re-register real estate.
  3. Manage bank cards.
  4. Register the company.
  5. Issue debt obligations.
  6. Obtain a legitimate duplicate of a document, which will later allow him to carry out fraudulent activities.
  7. Perform any actions on the Internet on behalf of the owner of the document.

The main situations are listed here, but the imagination of scammers is constantly evolving, so sophisticated ways of using personal information cannot be ruled out. In any case, fraud with a citizen’s personal data is aimed at a person’s lack of vigilance, careless handling of a passport, trust and inattention.

Is it possible to get a loan using a photocopy of a passport?

Obtaining a loan using someone else's passport or photocopy is one of the most common types of fraud that can be done if you have a photocopy on hand. However, to carry out such a crime it is necessary to have connections within the bank itself. Most often, it is enough to simply enter into an agreement with a bank employee who will turn a blind eye to the fact that a person, when receiving a loan, provides a document that is not his own. It will then be difficult for the owner to prove his non-involvement, and he will have to prove it during legal proceedings with the bank.

Speaking about what scammers can do with a copy of a passport, it is worth paying attention to the fact that today there are companies that can provide a loan to their client online. To apply for a loan, just a copy of the document is enough.

Opening a company

When registering any enterprise, providing passport data is mandatory. By providing a copy of someone else's passport, you can, with some degree of probability, register a company in the name of a person who does not suspect anything at all. Then you can do whatever you want with the company, because all the problems with the tax authorities will fall on the shoulders of the person who was simply deceived. In essence, he will become the owner of a shell business. Namely a front one, because there is no point in opening a company in the name of a third party just like that. Such companies are always used to carry out fraudulent activities. Naturally, sooner or later the company will be closed, and an investigation will be carried out against its management. The person for whom it was registered (the victim) will suffer first. This is what the use of passport data by fraudsters can lead to, but that’s not all.

Other options

Also in judicial practice there are quite a lot of cases of fraudulent re-registration of real estate or cars. In this case, regular copies of documents are also used.

In some cases, owners are unable to return their property at all or prove that they did not take out a bank loan. This may require years of trial, and it is not a fact that the court will acquit the victim. Most likely, the scammers themselves will not be found.

Certified copy of passport

A copy of the passport certified by a notary acquires legal force. In those places where a copy of a document is not accepted at all, a photocopy of a passport certified by a notary may be accepted. Therefore, when certifying a copy, you need to monitor it as carefully as the passport itself. The loss of such a document can be equated to the loss of the passport itself, because it has legal force.

This gives rise to an idea for a new scam: fraudsters can collect copies of passports, have them certified by a notary, and use them more successfully in their schemes. Of course, for this you need to have a familiar notary who will certify such copies. However, it is unlikely that there will be such a stupid notary who will do such a thing. It is easy to identify him and bring him to justice.

Methods for obtaining data

Many will be interested in knowing how scammers can get a copy of a passport. Meanwhile, there are many ways to do this, but the most common of them is an agreement with companies that provide photocopy services. Therefore, if you contact some office where they will make a photocopy for you for a pittance, there is always a chance that you will leave your data to scammers.

This copy alone will be enough to register in online games, open an electronic wallet, create an account on dating sites, etc.

Large companies with their own databases also have copies of passports: banking institutions, mobile operators, debt collectors, etc. Information leakage is possible even in those institutions that enjoy the trust of their clients. It all depends on just one employee who has access to the database.

A copy is also required to register a tourist trip - the operator sends it to its head office. Obtaining a payment system certificate, registering a domain name, etc. - all these operations require confirmation of identity using just a copy of the document.

Consequently, there are many ways in which scammers obtain passport data, so this should not be surprising. And although there is a special law “On the Protection of Personal Data,” many companies do not hesitate to sell passport data to third parties, because it is extremely difficult to prove the sale of such information.

Ways to protect yourself

It is impossible to protect yourself 100%. Alternatively, you just need to monitor the actions of the person to whom you provide your passport. And if you need to make a photocopy, then it is important to ensure that the person does not “accidentally” make an extra copy. If he has already made it, then let him either give it to you or tear it to pieces in your presence.

If there is even the slightest suspicion that they are trying to use your passport data, then you need to contact law enforcement agencies. And even if the scammers manage to get a loan for you, you can easily prove that it was not you, but the scammers who issued the loan. A statement to the police indicating a specific date will be excellent confirmation. The fraudster faces punishment in the form of imprisonment, but the specific period depends on the severity of the crime and the degree of damage caused.

In general, you should always keep your passport with you; you should not allow anyone to photograph it, much less lose it.

In conclusion

Now you know what scammers can do with a copy of your passport, and perhaps you will be more careful with this document and its photocopy. However, in judicial practice there are many cases when the victim was acquitted, because it is quite easy for the investigation to check whether his signature is on the concluded agreement between him and the bank.