UK passengers issued urgent passport warning as flights cancelled

As Brits prepare to travel over the Easter holidays, experts are warning that a rise in passport-related scams could catch out unsuspecting holidaymakers.

This comes after flights have seen major disruptions in recent weeks due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Cancellations and delays have become the norm, with uncertainty hanging over holidays and trips for UK residents aiming to travel abroad.

READ MORE: All flights cancelled as low-cost airline collapses affecting thousands

A passport warning has been issued (stock photo). (Image: Pexels)

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, comments: “Holiday periods like Easter, when more are getting their passports ready to travel, are a prime opportunity for scammers to target those who may be rushing to get documents sorted.

“It’s important to be aware of tricks like fake ‘fast-track’ services to copycat websites that appear legitimate but are designed to capture sensitive personal information.

“Our research finds that over half of UK adults (52 per cent) say they’ve been targeted by scams, so travellers are being warned to be more vigilant with their valuable personal belongings.

“Passport details are extremely valuable to scammers, as they can be used to commit identity theft or access financial accounts.

READ MORE: Thousands of cancelled flights see major U-turn for UK travellers

A passport warning has been issued (stock photo). (Image: Pexels)

“Many scams are specifically designed to trick people into entering this information online or sharing it over email or phone.

“It’s important to remember that legitimate organisations will never ask you to provide full passport details or sensitive information through unsolicited messages.

“You should treat your passport and boarding pass as if they were cash: avoid posting them on social media, never leave them unattended, and use secure apps or encrypted storage for digital copies rather than open cloud services.

“If anything does go missing, act immediately by reporting it to Action Fraud. And while a holiday is often the time to relax and unwind, staying prepared and careful before you get to your final destination will avoid any of this unwanted stress or potential extra costs.”