Credit Checks For Passports?

Could it be possible that in the near future credit checks for passports may be required?

In the UK, the Daily Mail newspaper has reported (19th July 2007) that the government plans to use credit reports in their battle to beat fraudulent passport applications. It is also anticipated that this information will also be used to obtain ID cards from their introduction in 2009.

It seems that credit checks for passport applications will be used to help question applicants to verify their identity. It goes without saying that civil liberties groups believe this takes Britain even closer to a 'Big Brother' state.

As discussed on other parts of this site, a credit file is now one of the most important databases and the information held about us all is of vital importance for many areas of life. It is this importance that makes identity theft such a potentially destructive crime.

Imagine the potential damage that can be caused by fraudulent loans and information. Damage could be caused that prevents loan applications, creates criminal records, tax bills, impacts employment and now, it seems, has an impact on passport applications. There is very little that a credit check does not now influence.

Protecting your credit file and doing everything possible to prevent identity theft seems to become more important every day!