Is emailing personal/passport info safe?

piggybankrupt

When we go away I thought of scanning our passports/travel insurance/EHIC cards etc & emailing them to myself before we go so that if we lose them abroad I could go in an internet cafe, call up my email account & have all the numbers to help us out of the situation - but is it safe to email these sorts of details - I thought I was being clever but now I'm not so sure!

superscaper

Can't think of anything immediately wrong, I recently read of a tip of doing something similar and putting it on a flash drive to wear around your neck for similar reasons. I vote that it's clever.

PaulK_3

Why not scan them in/ create a file with the information and then zip it up and password lock it? Then you can email it off and know that there is a lot less chance of someone opening it up.

piggybankrupt

Thanks so much for such quick replies. Never thought of the flash drive idea - might go for that - but what if flash drive was nicked/lost with passports etc!!! (knowing my luck:rotfl: ). I think I'll try both ideas to be on safe side !!

x_Wilco_x

I have done this when travelling over the last couple of years, never needed them but nice to know I can access the details should i require. I have also included traveller cheque numbers etc... Not considered security with this before but would probably weigh the risks against the benefits and still do it again...

cledor

Or upload them (as encrypted files) to a BT Digital Vault account, you can get one 1GB account for free.

Inactive

Why not just take paper copies with you?, kept apart from the originals, it works for me.;)

sandy2_2

I´ve used the flash drive for the past couple of trips, luckily didn´t need it

BertieLutton

I agree with Inactive, being a programmer myself its too tempting to come up with a complicated computer based solution when doing the old way is much simpler!

Scan them in and print them off, or find a photocopier (work, library) then just take the paper copies and keep them seperate.

Aiadi

I always do this on my flash drive but have all the docs encrypted with TrueCrypt which is always on my USB memory. Just remember not to forget your password.

You can also create an encrypted container using the same program (i.e TrueCrypt), put all your documents in it and send it to your email.

thefirs

BertieLutton wrote: »

I agree with Inactive, being a programmer myself its too tempting to come up with a complicated computer based solution when doing the old way is much simpler!

Scan them in and print them off, or find a photocopier (work, library) then just take the paper copies and keep them seperate.

I always do this on my flash drive but have all the docs encrypted with TrueCrypt which is always on my USB memory. Just remember not to forget your password.

You can also create an encrypted container using the same program (i.e TrueCrypt), put all your documents in it and send it to your email.

You're are just as likely to lose or have stolen the flash drive as the passport itself.

I disagree with the idea of saving electronically. You're only making life more difficult for yourself should the worst happen. The sensible approach is to do exactly what you proposed first off - email yourself at an easily accessable webmail service some scanned images of the relevant documents. The chances of (a) this being intercepted, (b) being of interest to anyone but you, and (c) being useable by an identity thief are so remote that you can discount any question of abuse. An internet cafe, a helpful official, or even a good samaritan (a few still exist) will be all you need to get at the vital info. But do the obvious - copy the biographical details page plus any vital visas that will be necessary to continue your journey and bury some bits of paper deep in the lining of your suitcase.