UK Passport Payment Form

[RupertIII]

Looking at the form for completion to pay for passport renewal it strikes me as having quite a serious security issue. It requires, amongst other info, the 3 digit security number as shown on the reverse side of the card, Anyone with access to this info could use it to clear out the a/c and having divulged the CVV number I can't imagine the bank being particularly sympathetic. Anyone had any previous issues with this?

 

Does anyone know if VHS Global Bangkok can offer a more secure method of payment or will they accept cash? 

 

Failing which I suppose the only answer is to transfer out the balance of the a/c apart from whatever the required passport fee is and then, after it the fee has been deducted, go through the hassle and cost of replacing the card.

 

Thanks.

 

[josephbloggs]

12 minutes ago, RupertIII said:

Looking at the form for completion to pay for passport renewal it strikes me as having quite a serious security issue. It requires, amongst other info, the 3 digit security number as shown on the reverse side of the card, Anyone with access to this info could use it to clear out the a/c and having divulged the CVV number I can't imagine the bank being particularly sympathetic. Anyone had any previous issues with this?

 

Does anyone know if VHS Global Bangkok can offer a more secure method of payment or will they accept cash? 

 

Failing which I suppose the only answer is to transfer out the balance of the a/c apart from whatever the required passport fee is and then, after it the fee has been deducted, go through the hassle and cost of replacing the card.

 

Thanks.

 

I don't believe there is any other accepted method, definitely not cash. I have gone through this process many times for me and my kids over the years, I know dozens of friends who have done it several times - I have never heard of anyone having fraudulent charges made to their account.

If you are not willing to trust them then your suggested method is your only option but it seems a bit extreme to me. Risk vs inconvenience. But up to you.

You would think in this day and age payment could be done online, but it's the UK government and they are not known for their efficiency or service mind..

Edited October 14 by josephbloggs
typo

[richard_smith237]

8 minutes ago, RupertIII said:

Looking at the form for completion to pay for passport renewal it strikes me as having quite a serious security issue. It requires, amongst other info, the 3 digit security number as shown on the reverse side of the card, Anyone with access to this info could use it to clear out the a/c and having divulged the CVV number I can't imagine the bank being particularly sympathetic. Anyone had any previous issues with this?

 

Does anyone know if VHS Global Bangkok can offer a more secure method of payment or will they accept cash? 

 

Failing which I suppose the only answer is to transfer out the balance of the a/c apart from whatever the required passport fee is and then, after it the fee has been deducted, go through the hassle and cost of replacing the card.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

I complained about the very same issue to VFS 10 days ago.

 

This is the only method by which to pay for a Passport - i.e. Filling out the form and putting ALL of our CreditCard information, including the CCV on the form. 

 

I highlighted that it is a huge breach of financial security and that given the British Embassy / and VFS's emphasis on security, how can this system be so very poor...  I asked why there is no 'instantaneous point of sale machine'... 

 

The forms go all the way back to the UK... so any interception and our data is out - with the CCV thats concerning and terrible security protocol. 

 

 

 

Another silly issue - I have terrible handwriting... Its also a lot quicker for me to just type out the form on the computer and print it, rather than fill out the form directly. 

VFS would not accept a 'computer filled form' it all had to be filled out by hand, which I found somewhat odd, as it was harder to read than 'clear unambiguous font'...   I just had to re-fill out the form, not hardship, I just considered it silly.

 

 

 

 

[josephbloggs]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

I complained about the very same issue to VFS 10 days ago.

 

This is the only method by which to pay for a Passport - i.e. Filling out the form and putting ALL of our CreditCard information, including the CCV on the form. 

 

I highlighted that it is a huge breach of financial security and that given the British Embassy / and VFS's emphasis on security, how can this system be so very poor...  I asked why there is no 'instantaneous point of sale machine'... 

 

The forms go all the way back to the UK... so any interception and our data is out - with the CCV thats concerning and terrible security protocol. 

 

 

 

Another silly issue - I have terrible handwriting... Its also a lot quicker for me to just type out the form on the computer and print it, rather than fill out the form directly. 

VFS would not accept a 'computer filled form' it all had to be filled out by hand, which I found somewhat odd, as it was harder to read than 'clear unambiguous font'...   I just had to re-fill out the form, not hardship, I just considered it silly.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the UK.

Agree with you on all points. Very outdated, very insecure, very very very inefficient.

[RupertIII]

51 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Another silly issue - I have terrible handwriting... Its also a lot quicker for me to just type out the form on the computer and print it, rather than fill out the form directly. 

VFS would not accept a 'computer filled form' it all had to be filled out by hand, which I found somewhat odd, as it was harder to read than 'clear unambiguous font'...   I just had to re-fill out the form, not hardship, I just considered it silly.

Thanks Richard, as my handwriting is also awful nowadays was going to use the computer to complete all passport forms so lucky for me you mentioned this! 

[hotandsticky]

If you are that nervous, consider using the services of an agent who will use their card.

[josephbloggs]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

If you are that nervous, consider using the services of an agent who will use their card.

That's a good suggestion!

[Mutt Daeng]

13 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

If you are that nervous, consider using the services of an agent who will use their card.

That's exactly why I use an agent for my PP.

[OJAS]

On 10/14/2024 at 2:34 PM, richard_smith237 said:

I complained about the very same issue to VFS 10 days ago.

 

This is the only method by which to pay for a Passport - i.e. Filling out the form and putting ALL of our CreditCard information, including the CCV on the form. 

 

I highlighted that it is a huge breach of financial security and that given the British Embassy / and VFS's emphasis on security, how can this system be so very poor...  I asked why there is no 'instantaneous point of sale machine'... 

 

The forms go all the way back to the UK... so any interception and our data is out - with the CCV thats concerning and terrible security protocol. 

 

Another silly issue - I have terrible handwriting... Its also a lot quicker for me to just type out the form on the computer and print it, rather than fill out the form directly. 

VFS would not accept a 'computer filled form' it all had to be filled out by hand, which I found somewhat odd, as it was harder to read than 'clear unambiguous font'...   I just had to re-fill out the form, not hardship, I just considered it silly.

 

IMHO the responsibility for the whole bloody shambles that is the UK passport renewal process from Thailand lies fairly and squarely with those clowns known as His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) back in the UK. VFS are merely their local agents and are probably slavishly following strict orders in relation to the perfectly reasonable and valid points which you have raised.

 

 

On 10/14/2024 at 2:32 PM, josephbloggs said:

You would think in this day and age payment could be done online, but it's the UK government and they are not known for their efficiency or service mind..

 

There is already in existence an online facility for handling the whole passport renewal process, which HMPO are encouraging the use of from practically everywhere on this great planet of ours (including Malaysia and the Philippines in this part of the world), but with the notable exception of Thailand for some ridiculous reason!

 

 

On 10/14/2024 at 3:55 PM, hotandsticky said:

If you are that nervous, consider using the services of an agent who will use their card.

 

The one thing which agents seem unable (or unwilling) to provide any assistance with, though, is in obtaining fresh paper mugshots which comply fully with HMPO's ultra-fussy requirements, particularly as regards acceptable background colours. Easier said than done to accomplish yourself if you live in the boonies!

 

Edited October 15 by OJAS

[josephbloggs]

50 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

There is already in existence an online facility for handling the whole passport renewal process, which HMPO are encouraging the use of from practically everywhere on this great planet of ours (including Malaysia and the Philippines in this part of the world), but with the notable exception of Thailand for some ridiculous reason!

 

I didn't know that. That makes it even more ridiculous.

[hotandsticky]

10 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

 

 

 

The one thing which agents seem unable (or unwilling) to provide any assistance with, though, is in obtaining fresh paper mugshots which comply fully with HMPO's ultra-fussy requirements, particularly as regards acceptable background colours. Easier said than done to accomplish yourself if you live in the boonies!

 

 

 

 

I never had a problem when I lived in the ar5e end of Buriram - as long as I used the local Kodak shop; he had a printout of the HMPO specifications on his wall.

[frank83628]

its how all UK passports are processed from Thailand. you dont think with something so valuable there will be certain security measures in place?

your passport info is probably worth more than the card number. i'd be a little less paranoid if it were me, they are not just chucked into the normal postal system from the nearest post office.

[OJAS]

42 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

its how all UK passports are processed from Thailand. you dont think with something so valuable there will be certain security measures in place?

 

So why aren't the same security measures in place for UK passports processed from Malaysia, the Philippines and everywhere else on this great planet of ours where online renewal is possible? No need for a second physical trip to a distant passport office to pick up your replacement passport; instead this is couriered to you direct! So why can't HMPO at least cut out the VFS middle man and send replacement passports by courier direct to Thailand-based applicants? That was certainly the case when I renewed my passport in 2013 via Hong Kong!

 

Edited October 16 by OJAS

[OJAS]

11 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

I didn't know that. That makes it even more ridiculous.

 

All the more so given that online is the only way in which our Irish cousins, for instance, can renew their passports from Thailand!

 

https://www.ireland.ie/en/thailand/bangkok/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passports/

[frank83628]

30 minutes ago, OJAS said:

 

So why aren't the same security measures in place for UK passports processed from Malaysia, the Philippines and everywhere else on this great planet of ours where online renewal is possible? No need for a second physical trip to a distant passport office to pick up your replacement passport; instead this is couriered to you direct! So why can't HMPO at least cut out the VFS middle man and send replacement passports by courier direct to Thailand-based applicants? That was certainly the case when I renewed my passport in 2013 via Hong Kong!

 

i was referring to people here worried that their passport could be intercepted and card number used. they will be send tracked, with all necessary security.

 

i did mine yeas ago via DHL, not once was i paranoid my card info would be stolen

[Mutt Daeng]

22 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

 

I never had a problem when I lived in the ar5e end of Buriram - as long as I used the local Kodak shop; he had a printout of the HMPO specifications on his wall.

Same situation at my Go-to (FUJI) photo shop.