photo copies of ID page of your passport and credit cards, front and back

I do this too.

Just keep in mind that copies of your credit cards, front and back, is just as useful to the thief as the actual credit card. So, if you do that, then you need to protect the copies as carefully as you protect the actual credit cards. We do not do that. A copy of your passport is very useful to prove to the US that you had a passport should yours be lost. Also have a couple of passport photos with you as this will help to get the replacement passport.

Joan, I usually pack along a copy of the information page of my Passport, but NOT the credit card information. With the C/C details, I carry both an encoded hard copy of the card numbers, and also phone numbers to contact the card issuers. I also take an encrypted electronic version in my iPhone or Palm PDA for "backup", which includes much more detailed information such as the CV number, expiry date, credit limit and phone numbers to contact the card issuer. While a proficient hacker could undoubtedly eventually figure out the information, it would be some work for them and probably not worth the effort. The cards would have been cancelled long before they get the information. Cheers!

I've sent a scan of my passport ID page, in a password-protected file, to myself by email. I can access that from any internet-connected computer in the world. Unless I'm going to some far-flung rural/wilderness area on my trip, I figure that will be as good as toting a photocopy around. I'd never carry photocopies of my credit cards, either front or back. Like Ken, I have password-protected access to the CC information, including issuer contact numbers, via smartphone, Kindle, or other electronic device I'm carrying. I also can access a recap of the information by email as with the passport scan. I have in the past been known to carry some extra passport-sized photos with me on foreign trips, but don't always remember to pack them.

This has actually been mentioned many times here, with varying opinions about the practice. I would never carry copies of credit cards. All you need is the number to call in case you lose them. They can look you up without even your account number if you need to get a card canceled. A photocopy of your passport might help expedite getting a replacement, but it might not. I do email a photocopy of that to myself, but I do not carry one.

Much ado about nothing and a waste of time with increased liabilities. I have: Entered the US with an expired passport - - delay of thirty seconds. Entered the US after having lost a passport - - delay of fifteen minutes. Replaced a lost passport overseas - - replaced within an hour after having walked into a consulate, including walking down the block to have pictures taken. Twice had a credit card shut down for fraud while traveling (but the number got loose while at home) - - time to resolve of ten minutes. Once lost complete wallet (lost, not stolen) while traveling solo - - first new credit card arrived on third day. Everything is a work-around. I carry no document numbers, but do carry the credit card phone numbers - - which might save all of ten minutes. What makes me nervous is losing a copy of my shot record since my quack doesn't hang around her office all the time. A copy of that sucker is on my phone and another is in the ID section of my pack.

I used a photocopy of an ATM card in Mexico to help retrieve the card when it was swallowed by a bank ATM. I don't speak Spanish so the copy helped me communicate. But I don't write the passwords on the copies.

After having my wallet stolen at the Frankfurt Railway station, I discovered that not only did the station police have the phone numbers for all the major credit card companies, they even dialed the numbers for me.

Ed - you must have been lucky, but maybe because our friend is Canadian - had his passport stolen (and replaced) in Barcelona...when he was flying back home, he was connecting thru the US (can't rem where) - well, the hassle he had because of the 'new' passport not showing the stamps from leaving NA and arriving in Europe, and after he explained that his passport had been stolen - delaying him over 2 hours almost to the point of missing their connection to TO..to which they 'didn't care'. Maybe he just hit a-hole day at the airport?

I agree with most others here: while having a copy of your passport might be helpful if lost or stolen and poses no risk if it is lost or stolen - copies of your credits card is a huge risk with little benefit. All you need is the phone number for the credit card or bank. If someone got a hold of you card number, expiration date and security code, they'd have more than enough to use it.

As long as you have the phone #'s to call your credit cards from overseas (toll free #'s likely will not work), there is no need to have copies of the cc #'s. With your name, address, and other key information (mother's maiden name, previous address, etc.) that you would be asked, visa/ax can find your account and verify your identity. I keep a list of key phone #'s in my notes app on my ipod touch.
As far as passports, we keep copies buried in the bottom our our carryons, just in case. Also, someone back home has copies.

I never take copies of credit cards, just the phone numbers.
Having a copy of the passport I.D.page only helps provide info (passport number, location of issue, etc). It will not expedite the matter to any great exent. Not having the copy will not prevent a new passport from being issued. While we are on the subject of travel documents, do bring at least one paper copy of the e-ticket itinerary.

I email my itinerary with copies if train tix and important numbers to my family - if I need it they have it. In the past mom has lost her itinerary and had to call us to find out the name of her next hotel

I like having the phone numbers, to call for a problem, handy, with just the last four of the card number and the bank name (not the verification number on the back) to help me know which number is which. You may have to call because they put a fraud alert on your card when you try to use it (even though you told them your travel plans ahead of time). If that happens, they won't take the hold off until they talk to you personally (and then it's usually when everything resets overnight). A copy of front and back of a card is enough to generate fraudulent purchases. The full name on the card, the number, the expiration date, and the verification number on the back is usually everything they need. I'm noticing a lot of gas stations and online purchases now want your zip code as an added precaution (deesn't help if they have your ID too). I've never lost a passport but have heard a photo copy of the page that has your picture helps. Sounds like Ed can say it's not that big of requirement. Nowadays, I pack an Ipod touch and keep my info paper free (and password protected).

My husband lost his passport in transit on a recent trip. We happened to be in Curacao, a place where there was a US consulate. An airline agent was incredibly helpful in getting us a cab to get to the police station, a photo studio and to the consulate, but bringing along extra passport photos (even in a digital format) would have been very helpful. We believe that having a copy of his passport first pages did help expedite the process. Note also, he HAD to have a police report in order to apply for an immediate replacement. He got a temporary passport and we were on our way to the next island the same day. We each carry copies of each others' passports, so if one of us loses our passport, the other has the backup. We don't carry the copies in our wallets, but elsewhere in our carryon luggage.