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I don't know why private COVID test providers issuing fit-to-fly certificates (rapid antigen) are allowed to ask their customers to send an unobstructed, unblurred photo of a passport next to the test. It feels like a huge identity theft risk - there are hundreds of these companies in the UK alone and I bet no-one controls them. They are not established companies, almost all of them emerged in 2021. This is not really safe, to send them passport photos.

What can I do to protect myself from identity theft if I need to do such a test and can't do it in person within the time-frame given by the country I'm travelling to (24 hours before crossing the border)?

Kate Gregory
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slvrxrb
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  • Are those take-at-home tests? – xngtng Dec 18 '21 at 13:01
  • Are these all companies on the UK’s approved provider list https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing/list-of-private-providers-of-coronavirus-testing? Searching for ‘fit to fly tests’ throws up many providers but personally I wouldn’t touch anyone not on the official approved list with a barge pole – Traveller Dec 18 '21 at 14:15
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    You can protect yourself by not using one of those companies, even if that may result in you not traveling. You will have to balance things against each other. – Willeke Dec 18 '21 at 17:09
  • Related: What harm can be done with a copy of one's passport? – Nate Eldredge Dec 18 '21 at 17:37
  • Does your passport include data (such as a national identification number) that could be used to steal your identity? Mine do not; they only have my name and date and place of birth, which perhaps create some risk but seem insufficient for most malevolent purposes. – phoog Dec 19 '21 at 17:03
  • and I bet no-one controls them Not necessarily. The government provides a list of authorised providers so only use the firms in the list. – DumbCoder Dec 20 '21 at 10:37

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The test providers need to be able to verify that you are who you say you are. Otherwise they cannot create a test certificate for you.

Hence they ask for a government issued ID, and in some countries the only option you have is a passport. What you should look for is reputable companies that list on their website what their privacy and data protection measures are.

If you want to avoid that do not use such a “take at home” test. Many countries do not even accept those. Just go to a test centre.

Krist van Besien
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