Safe to give out passport number?

[DougK62]

I'm going on vacation later this month and staying in some hostels. I've had a few of the hostels ask for my passport number when I attempt to make reservations with them. If it was just one place I'd move on to the next, but with several places asking it seems that this is a common practice. Should I be worried about giving out my passport number? Anyone have experience with this?

 

[NikolaeVarius]

No. I've given passport numbers a ton of times while staying in hostels and hotels. I've never had a problem with it.

 

[zerogear]

It's pretty normal, especially if you're in Europe. I don't believe in US they ask for them.

 

[ViviTheMage]

It's normal

 

[JulesMaximus]

They're going to make a copy of it or scan it anyway when you get there. No big deal.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I think it's mostly meant to help your own country track you incase something happens.