Sharing passport information

Nothing to worry about as this is fairly standard practice. Nobody can steal your identity with your passport number.

Thanks Sam, but actually they can when they have your name, DOB and passport number, which is what they are asking for, and which can be put together with other easily discoverable information from the internet.

They won't hold off and take the information in person once we arrive, they want it in advance.

Does it really matter 'when' they get your passport info, if nefarious use of that info is the purpose of the request?

This is the usual procedure for tax declaration purposes. There is no risk that anything will be done with your passport number.

You risk much more every day without knowing it by surfing the internet or connecting via WiFi with your phone on unknown networks

They do not have your DOB. You often need to send this info with hotel bookings, Airbnb, even to buy football tickets.

To joe32F - the 'when' is not the issue, the issue is sharing the information in person, vs. sending it via email.

To Sam - your DOB is on the passport.

To each of you: thank you for taking the time to reply.

For what it's worth, a passport number is only good within the validity period. You get a new one when you renew OR replace, anyway.

What's App is a secure way to SEND the info.

Funny thing happened today. About 3/4 down in the OP. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/fly-fishing-bosnia-herzegovina

But they did not ask for your DOB, just the passport number.

lewing64, I just had to send my passport number and expiration date yesterday to a hotel in Ortisei. Like your boat, they did not ask for my date of birth. It is not unusual at all - now whether or not it is useful on the dark web is another matter, but, basically, our choices are give it out or stay home.

Sorry, all this is not how identity theft works, it is just worry for naught.

Provide the requested info, or forget it.

TexasTravelMom, it's not polite to ask a woman her age. They knew that

Requesting the passport number for an accommodation or service reservation is mandatory in Greece as proof for the tax administration. (and in other European countries)

Millions of passport numbers are transmitted every year. There's no reason to be paranoid about this process.