Copies of Passorts at Hotels

[Bindibuys]

Hi all,
my boss currently in Paris, when she asked for the copy of her passport back they responded with:

[FONT=&quot]Hope you had a nice stay with us at les Jardins du Marias, upon arrival we took a photocopy of your passport as it is an obligation imposed by the French police department, we also have to keep it for one year before destroying it, it is the French law.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please do not worry as all documents are kept locked in a secured place after customers departures.

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Can anyone here confirm that is is correct[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cannot speak about France Bindi but certainly a reqt in China - I could never envisage it would be a problem - IMHO of course but others might have diff views.

 

[drron]

And here in Japan.

 

[mannej]

Fairly normal practise in SE Asia (and India as well).

99.9% of the hotels do not disclose what happens to the copies after you depart the hotel, so I guess ignorance is bliss.

 

[boomy]

Overseas I stayed in more hotels that asked to photocopy my passport then ones that didn't. It's definitely a global policy done for security reasons. I see no problem with that.

 

[RooFlyer]

Again, can't address the OP's query, but FWIW, on a recent tour thru Europe (Italy (4 hotels), England, Austria, Slovakia, Russia (2 hotels), Romania (2 hotels), Netherlands), only in Russia and England did they take a copy of my passport. In London I asked for the copy on check-out and they gave it up. I didn't bother asking in Russia

A hotel (and the hotel staff) having a passport info copy and your cc details is a pretty potent combination. I can see no legitimate reason whatsoever for the hotel retaining a photo copy of the passport after you leave (other than if authorities require it). They have identified you; they have your cc for billing; they have your passport number on file. Its just another liberty hotels take with your personal information, for their security and lessening yours - increasing the potential for the information to be abused.

 

[Pushka]

Copies of our passport were taken in every hotel we stayed at in Europe this year. Didn't even think to ask if they were destroyed and no one ever told us either.

 

[Denali]

Japan, France, China and Singapore took our passport. Freaks me out but what are your options. Not much.

 

[Bindibuys]

only in Russia and England did they take a copy of my passport. In London I asked for the copy on check-out and they gave it up.

A hotel (and the hotel staff) having a passport info copy and your cc details is a pretty potent combination. increasing the potential for the information to be abused.

I also asked for my copy back in London and got it. I think this is why Sonya is asking me what she should do. (her PA - ME - travels more than she does

)

A friend of mine in Germany had her credit card hit for cost of a flight. They were able to book it because they had both her credit card detail AND her passport info. This is why I asked for my passport info back when in London.

 

[RooFlyer]

I also asked for my copy back in London and got it. I think this is why Sonya is asking me what she should do. (her PA - ME - travels more than she does

)

A friend of mine in Germany had her credit card hit for cost of a flight. They were able to book it because they had both her credit card detail AND her passport info. This is why I asked for my passport info back when in London.

Ditto!

If no one here knows the true situation in France, then maybe resort to Google to see if there is any veracity in the French Law argument. I would think something referring to Passports would be an EU law / standard and not local / French law.

At the very least have the boss email the hotel back and state clearly that she is concerned about fraud and identity theft and the hotel is on notice as being liable and responsible for any such events. Say that she requires notice and evidence of disposal of the copy destruction.

Unlikely to be enforceable in any way, but it's there on the record if something happens and may give her a leg to stand on.

 

[Pushka]

Ditto!

If no one here knows the true situation in France, then maybe resort to Google to see if there is any veracity in the French Law argument. I would think something referring to Passports would be an EU law / standard and not local / French law.

At the very least have the boss email the hotel back and state clearly that she is concerned about fraud and identity theft and the hotel is on notice as being liable and responsible for any such events. Say that she requires notice and evidence of disposal of the copy destruction.

Unlikely to be enforceable in any way, but it's there on the record if something happens and may give her a leg to stand on.

Like I said, less than 2 months ago our passports were copied throughout Europe. Greece. Italy. Turkey.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

A friend of mine in Germany had her credit card hit for cost of a flight. They were able to book it because they had both her credit card detail AND her passport info. This is why I asked for my passport info back when in London.

But the CC company did reverse the transaction so your friend did not have to pay right?

 

[RooFlyer]

Like I said, less than 2 months ago our passports were copied throughout Europe. Greece. Italy. Turkey.

Yes, I read that . Just recounting my own experience. As they say, YMMV

 

[Mattg]

I don't recall ever staying at a hotel in Europe where they haven't at least asked to see my passport. I'm happy enough to take their word for it that it's for legal/security reasons. It doesn't really concern me, and I've stayed in many European hotels & hostels and never had any problems.

FWIW, I stayed in a hotel in Vienna last night and they asked for my passport number, date of issue and issuing authority, but didn't take a photocopy of the passport itself.

While we're on this subject, I stayed at a place a while back where my nationality was listed on the receipt as Brazilian (which is strange because I'm an Aussie). It turns out they inadvertently photocopied a Brazilian visa which happened to be at the front of my passport instead of the photo page and didn't even notice until I pointed out their mistake.

 

[Bindibuys]

But the CC company did reverse the transaction so your friend did not have to pay right?

Did not ask. It would have been a German card. Of my German friends she speaks the least amount of English, so we did not have a "conversation" over the details.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Does she talk cow talk? You might understand her then.

TBH after 20 odd years hotels taking photocopies of my passport I have never ever given it a second thought - and prolly never will again going forward - I just assumed and still do think it's just security for hotel - both legal and commercial.

 

[Isochronous]

Stayed at an SPG property in London recently and did not show any passport. Room was prepaid. Just showed my SPG Gold card and gave my Amex charge card to cover the security for any additional charges on the room.