Police warn against sharing passport copies via email for accommodation in Finland

Sending a copy of one’s passport via email to accommodation providers poses a security risk, according to the police. In some instances, the representative of the accommodation and the customer may not meet in person, leading to requests for sensitive information to be sent digitally in advance. Juhani Ruutu, a senior inspector with the Police Authority, shares that there have been reported incidents, including from Portugal, where such practices may be common.

Certain countries have laws requiring accommodations to report information to authorities, which necessitates confirmation of the traveler’s identity. However, email is not a secure method for transmitting confidential information. Personal data could potentially be misused, such as for online shopping.

In Finland, electronic transactions have largely taken over, demanding high levels of identity verification. Older methods of customer identification for online purchases may put individuals who share their personal data at risk, Ruutu explains.

The prevalence of passport copy requests is hard to verify, but occasional reports have surfaced. Timo Lappi, CEO of the Restaurant and Tourism Industry Association, notes that its member hotels do not request passport copies via email due to data security concerns.

Ruutu further emphasizes the careful handling of passports. A damaged passport may not be accepted at border crossings, causing delays in returning home. In such cases, individuals should contact Finnish diplomatic missions to obtain a temporary travel document. EU citizens can also seek assistance from other countries’ missions.

While formal travel documents are not required in the Nordic countries, individuals must still prove their identity and nationality. Airlines do not accept driving licenses for travel, as they face hefty penalties for allowing individuals without the right to travel to board.