Passport renewal...

Sounds like a scam

Whilst we were part of the EU if you renewed passport early the extra months were added on ie a passport could be valid for 10years plus 8 months or how many months early you renewed.

From 01/01/2021 passports are only valid for 10 years from renewal date, regardless of the extra months added on to the expiry date.

Hope that’s clear I am multitasking and failing?

It is just a generic message to warn people of this.

Vickysponge I'm satisfied it's not a scam. It came from the passport office at .gov.uk and I didn't use the link anyway. My beef is the £3.60 per minute to use their phone service. Given that there'll be a recorded message to listen and respond to, then a wait till an operator is free it could be £30 or more before a human being responds to your query. Outrageous!

GrannyGravy thanks, I understand that but if I want to know how it'll affect me, it could prove very expensive to find out from the horse's mouth....

Clearly, they are trying force people to use the website and make fewer phone calls. Thereby reducing numbers of staff on the phone lines.

Our passports need renewal in July 2021.
I will check their website ... I just hope it’s more straightforward than communicating with HMRC via their multiplicity of incomprehensible websites ...

Mine needs renewing on 4 th January 21. Wondering how early i need to set wheels in motion.

Nit tgat I am going anywhere.....

Not that...typo!

lizzypopbottle

Vickysponge I'm satisfied it's not a scam. It came from the passport office at .gov.uk and I didn't use the link anyway. My beef is the £3.60 per minute to use their phone service. Given that there'll be a recorded message to listen and respond to, then a wait till an operator is free it could be £30 or more before a human being responds to your query. Outrageous!

Great. As long as you’re sure. I completely agree that £3.60 is outrageous!!

Sadly, many Gov. Depts.are like this.

I was trying to help an incoming overseas student, couldn't find the information on the HMGov website, it cost £5 (paid in advance) to ask a question!

I think it’s a scam email as your passport is still valid until 2025 BUT you when travelling abroad, you will be entering other countries as a non EU citizen. (i.e. third class citizen)

It’s a scam, surely. Also, I can’t see any mention on the Passport Office site about a premium rate number. Their usual contact numbers are the usual 0300 ones. Where on the site can you see this, lizzypopbottle?

I’m certain it’s a scam, I don’t remember ever receiving a reminder that I needed to change my passport, plus the 4/5 year time gap till your passport actually expires. If it were not a scam half the country would have received these emails and clearly they haven’t.

lizzypopbottle Ignore it! If you have a passport valid until 2025 then why are you even wondering? Send your passport off within six months of renewal in the usual way. Scam or no scam, you are reading it wrongly.

I had one similar back in January and phoned them. They admitted it was sent in error but it wasn't a scam. That one suggested my passport would expire in the next six months and I specifically asked if it was a scam. The phone number and its cost comes up if you search for passport office.

I’ve never heard of the passport office sending any reminders/information out of the blue. Please don’t be taken in by something that looks authentic. This just must be a scam. Why not write to the passport office and ask about the email, or go to your main post office and ask about it at the passport desk. The post office staff are usually very helpful and knowledgeable about passport rules and requirements.

www.gov.uk/call-charges

The Glasgow Passport Office website has a whole page dedicated to scams, including mention of premium phone numbers. Maybe you could have a wee read of that.

Lizzypopbottle - you are hilarious:

'I specifically asked if it was a scam'

What exactly did you expect them to say?

www.gov.uk/government/news/a-million-texts-to-encourage-travellers-to-check-passport-validity-after-brexit

Hetty58 it was the passport office government department that I spoke to. The number is on the government website. Honestly, really, truly!

And there's no need to be so scathing!