The Odd, Potential Reason These Travelers Got Flagged By US Customs When Coming Home

You've just touched back down in the United States from a much needed beach vacation overseas that you were able to extend for an extra few weeks. You've also just recently been promoted to one of the best types of jobs for an aspiring digital nomad. Life is good. As you make your way through U.S. Customs, you're dreaming of sleeping in your own bed, but as you hand over your passport, the passport officer gives you a look that makes you feel uneasy.

As the officer calls over their superior, they both eye your passport and start asking questions that don't pertain to your recent trip abroad. "Come with us," they say. Now you start to sweat. What could be going on? The odd and potential reason you're getting pulled aside for questioning, is because you just got flagged by U.S. Customs for having the exact same name as a wanted criminal. Yikes!

There are many ways to help you get through airport security much faster, however potentially having the same name as a wanted criminal that's known to U.S. Customs, might not be one of them. If you happen to notice that a TSA agent becomes a little more chatty with you at airport security, you might be flagged, just as these travelers noted in a Reddit thread.

Making your way back through U.S. Customs is always slightly nerve-racking, and for no good reason either. There's something about engaging with authority figures that's always stressful, even if you have nothing to hide. These Reddit users have personally been flagged, or know someone that has been flagged for having the same name as a wanted criminal.

In a recent r/travel subreddit thread, u/Lost_Roku_Remote posted about their recent incident coming back into the United States from a work trip in Germany. "I'm a US citizen who recently just made a trip to Germany for work. Had no issues leaving the country or getting into Germany but when I re-entered the US I got flagged by customs and pulled aside." When U.S. Customs questioned the Redditor about their recent gun purchases, they were honest and said "yes I've bought multiple." After being asked if they were recently denied for any gun purchases, once they mentioned that they were not, U.S. Customs told them they were free to go.

The confused Redditor asks social media to weigh in as to why they may have been flagged, asked those specific questions, and then was told they were free to go. Reddit user u/AJX2009 simply stated, "My guess is you had the same name as someone they're watching and threw in the last question as one last effort to test you and throw you off." Another user had been through the same ordeal as well, writing, "This happened to me domestically but I was trying to get past security and my ID kept flagging as someone on a watch list in their system and my ID wasn't matching that persons name."

Being flagged even just one time by U.S. Customs for potentially having the same name as a wanted criminal is one time too many. Before you run out to change your name, there are ways to avoid the hassle the next time you travel. Even if you're not a frequent traveler, it's worth knowing that there are options that can make visits through customs much easier.

Applying for a unique seven-digit TSA Redress Number will be your ultimate traveler accessory moving forward. The Redress Number, or more commonly referred to as the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) is issued by The Department of Homeland Security, which is a surefire way to avoid any misidentification as a potential threat or wanted criminal. To apply, all you need to do is fill out this form, submit it, patiently wait, and once you've been issued your seven-digit number, you'll be able to present it the next time you book a flight to avoid being flagged.

If you're an innocent traveler that just happens to be flagged, the best piece of advice is to stay calm and don't panic. The U.S. Customs agents are doing their job, so cooperating is the easiest way to move through the inconvenient, yet necessary process. Whether you have an extremely common name, or potentially the same name as a criminal, knowing that there are ways to streamline your travel moving forward while avoiding being flagged by U.S. Customs as an innocent person is reassuring.