Lost Passport

Mr_Mister

Hi
My elderly father has lost his UK passport whilst walking to his bank and only realised after he got home.
He checked his route and also went back to the bank but no one has handed it in.
He has no plans to travel abroad this year so there is no rush to replace it but does anyone know if a replacement can be ordered online or does a form need to be completed from the post office?
Also, he did not take any copies of the passport or noted down the passport number.
Will that be an issue?
Thanks

Penguin_

Renew or replace your adult passport: Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

eDicky

It might be worth checking with the local police, in case it was handed to them. If not, reporting its loss to them could be useful for the replacement process or if any fraud is committed in his name.

onashoestring

Whilst there may be no rush to replace it - He needs to report it as lost IMMEDIATELY  so it can be cancelled-
If it’s fallen into the wrong hands it can be used to steal his identity/ open bank accounts take out loans/ credit cards in his name . 

smudge56

eDicky said:

It might be worth checking with the local police, in case it was handed to them. If not, reporting its loss to them could be useful for the replacement process or if any fraud is committed in his name.

The police will not return the passport as it has been compromised. It will be returned  to HMPO and destroyed. 

 Even if he is not replacing it at the moment, he should go online and report it lost so it gets cancelled.  You don’t need the passport number as there will be a record of it.

eDicky

smudge56 said:

eDicky said:

It might be worth checking with the local police, in case it was handed to them. If not, reporting its loss to them could be useful for the replacement process or if any fraud is committed in his name.

The police will not return the passport as it has been compromised. It will be returned  to HMPO and destroyed. 

 Even if he is not replacing it at the moment, he should go online and report it lost so it gets cancelled.  You don’t need the passport number as there will be a record of it.

But at least there will be the knowledge of safe disposal of the passport, if it has passed through police hands.

I'm curious about cancellation of a passport by HMPO when it's not physically in their hands. It would no longer be valid at international borders, but could it still be successfully used, for example, as ID for fraudulently opening a bank account etc..?

onashoestring

Lost Passport must be reported to to ensure you are not liable for any financial losses if it’s is found and then used fraudulently 

( bank account debts/false benefit claims etc)

If it is not reported as lost it will be more difficult to prove that is not the person named on the passport  who set up the account

smudge56

eDicky said:

But at least there will be the knowledge of safe disposal of the passport, if it has passed through police hands.

I'm curious about cancellation of a passport by HMPO when it's not physically in their hands. It would no longer be valid at international borders, but could it still be successfully used, for example, as ID for fraudulently opening a bank account etc..?

HMPO has a validation service for the banks. They provide details of the passport and HMPO confirm if it’s a valid passport.  Trying to do anything bankwise with a cancelled passport will be flagged up immediately.

eDicky

smudge56 said:

eDicky said:

But at least there will be the knowledge of safe disposal of the passport, if it has passed through police hands.

I'm curious about cancellation of a passport by HMPO when it's not physically in their hands. It would no longer be valid at international borders, but could it still be successfully used, for example, as ID for fraudulently opening a bank account etc..?

HMPO has a validation service for the banks. They provide details of the passport and HMPO confirm if it’s a valid passport.  Trying to do anything bankwise with a cancelled passport will be flagged up immediately.

Thanks Smudge, that's reassuring, systems more joined up these days..!