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Passport control - False alert

Posted by on

Hello all,

I'm a U.S citizen. Since October of last year, every time I enter or leave a Schengen country, I get held at Passport control due to a false alert. It happened four times already. One of the officers told me its due to a name match (may name is very common). Is there a way to get this dealt with? I have plans to explore more European countries and was wondering if I there is a way to provide authorities my information so that I'm not held at Passport control for the same false alert.

Any advise would be helpful.

Posted by
6552 posts

mannypb17, this happens to my husband, as well, but mostly in the States. And yes, he was told it was because he has such a common name. We seldom think about that, because he normally goes by his middle name, and a diminutive of that. But officially, he has one of the most common male names in the country.

Posted by
7982 posts

Hmmm …. is it worth contacting your congressional Representative’s office? Perhaps they can find some relief, or at least confirm whether there’s any possible solution.

Posted by
589 posts

"There is a redress procedure."

But isn't the poster talking about "entering or leaving a Schengen country"? This is a US DHS procedure, which presumably won't help them. It refers to being "denied entry into or exit from the US".

Posted by
1173 posts

Oops! Missed the Schengen reference!

One of my kids was flagged in the US with a name similar to a “no fly”. I jumped to the solution for the wrong problem!

Posted by
139 posts

I have a common name too. It has happened to me when re-entering the US. Get a travel redress number from the TSA. Enter that number on any flight reservation. Also carry a copy of the letter from TSA if you drive across the border with Canada or Mexico. Be prepared to be stopped and interogated anyway. It's a hassle but there is nothing you can do.

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