This is How Things Go Terribly Wrong
Security Breach?
The Department of Homeland Security launched a national campaign called, "If You See Something, Say Something" on the premise that Homeland Security actually begins with hometown security. Living in New York and so close to ground zero, we have always taken that campaign to heart.
My husband recently witnessed a breach of security with regard to the handling of a U.S. Passport. The incident occurred at our local credit union. While he was standing at the customer service desk, a woman approached the counter and asked for her passport that she claimed she had left at the credit union. The customer service representative asked for her identification and she said she had none. The service rep asked for her driver's license and she said she didn't have one. He then opened the passport, looked at her photo and then looked at her and promptly handed over the U.S. passport to the woman who presented NO proper identification.
My husband was so upset that the woman produced nothing and yet she was given the passport freely and left the credit union. We promptly called the credit union's toll-free number and reported the incident. The call center representative told us, "Well, I'm sure it looked like her passport or they wouldn't have given it back to her." We asked to speak to a supervisor and again, we were told that the woman probably just left the passport there and was getting it back.
This is how things go terribly wrong. Does anyone remember 911?
According to the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of State, if you find a passport, it should be returned immediately to:
U.S. Department of State Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
It is not up to you, the credit union or place of business to determine that someone "looks" like the photo on the passport. That's why we have a U.S. Department of State Passport Services -- it is their job.
I'm beginning to wonder if we're not becoming a bit too complacent with regard to our security.
Sources:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/lost_848.html
http://www.dhs.gov/files/reportincidents/see-something-say-something.shtmPublished by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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