In Reply to: Tour operator wants passport number posted by treefrog on Monday, 3. January 2011 at 23:58 Bali Time:
Lombok on-line from home he wanted my passport number, this was an authorized tour company and I was emailed the official paperwork which did request a passport number on it.
I questioned this and was told i cannot continue with the contract without a passport number.
I thought about it for a long time and the tour company did have many good reviews.
In the end I took the chance and gave the number and it all worked out kosher.
Not that it means anything but the paperwork/contract had an authorized tour operator logo with a government stamp on it.
Lombok may be different to Bali because i was told by the driver once there that a local official owned the biggest tour company and outside operators had to pay his company a fee?
If it was wanted for illegal purposes what could they do with a passport number that they cant do with your other details,name address,date of birth,credit card details etc that most give out all the time?
You give your Passport details with name etc to every hotel reception in Bali when you check in,what is the difference?