Why Your Data Is Still at Risk
Once you hit 'submit', your personal information begins a journey of its own. It's sent to government agencies and potentially third-party processors, where it can be stored for years. For instance, Schengen visa data is kept in the Visa Information System
(VIS) for up to five years and can be accessed by various authorities. Other countries have similarly long retention periods. This data, a treasure trove for identity thieves, may also exist in your sent emails, on your computer's hard drive, and with any agencies you used. The goal now is to minimise this distributed risk.
Audit Your Digital and Physical Trail
Start by taking stock. Where did your information go? You likely shared it with an official government portal, but you may have also used a third-party visa service, a travel agent, or booking websites for flights and hotels. Make a list of these services. At the same time, gather any physical copies or draft documents. Documents containing sensitive financial or personal information should be securely shredded. For digital files stored on your computer, such as scanned passport copies or bank statements you downloaded, move them to an encrypted folder or delete them securely once they are no longer needed.
Beware of Post-Submission Scams
Scammers know that applicants are anxious for news about their visa. They exploit this by sending sophisticated phishing emails or making phone calls. These fraudulent communications often look official and create a sense of urgency, claiming there's a problem with your application that requires an immediate payment or the provision of more personal data. A common tactic is to promise guaranteed approval or expedited processing for a fee. Remember, official government bodies will not ask for sensitive information or payments via unsolicited emails or phone calls. Always verify any requests by logging directly into the official government portal you used to apply.
Secure Your Related Accounts
The email and online accounts you used during the application process are now high-value targets. First, change the passwords for your email and any travel or visa-related portals. Use a unique, complex password for each account. This is a great time to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on any account that offers it. This adds a critical layer of security, requiring a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) before granting access. Regularly check your account activity for any unrecognised logins or changes.
Clean Up Your Digital Footprint
If you used third-party services, review their privacy settings. Many travel booking sites allow you to manage or delete your data once your trip is complete. It may be worthwhile to close accounts you no longer need. It’s also wise to clear your browser history, cache, and cookies after using public or shared computers for any part of your application process. While you cannot erase the data submitted to a government, you can control the copies and ancillary data held by commercial entities. This digital clean-up reduces the number of places your information is stored, lowering the chance of it being compromised in a future data breach.
