Me and Me

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Freaky Friday: Doctor’s Orders
2007-12-07 16:23:00
We’ve heard of manicures at the airport. And even high-end shopping. But flu shots? Yep, it’s true. Airports in major cities across the country are setting up flu shot stations on the “airside” of airports—the areas past security check-points. And many travelers are taking advantage of the convenience. Once passing through security, passengers are often faced with a lot of downtime. And for business travelers who spend more time at airports than anywhere else, they might be interested in checking “get flu shot” off their list. But for the faint-of-heart, perusing the high-end stores or getting your nails done before take-off might sound a bit more appealing than getting a shot. We’re curious to see if other services start popping up at airports in the future. What do you think? Is getting a flu shot at an airport a yay or a nay?
More About: Friday , Doctor , Orders , Freaky

A Real-Life “Bonnie & Clyde” … ID Theft Style
2007-12-05 16:55:00
A young couple in Philadelphia lived the high-life for a while—all on their neighbors’ credit cards. The couple is accused of identity theft and fraud (among other charges) and police are estimating the couple’s plot dates back at least two years, with an estimated $100,000 schemed just this year alone. Jet-setting to Paris, high-tech equipment, and even expensive hair extensions were among many fradulent purchases accused of being made by the couple. Not exactly a showing of neighborly love. Also in the news, check out the debate over the risks of identity thieves using commerical spyware, such as the program found in the Philly couple’s apartment.
More About: Life , Style , Real , Theft , Bonnie

Thursday’s Top Ten: Travel Safely (and wisely)
2007-11-29 21:17:00
Who doesn’t need travel tips when planning trips around the busy holiday season? Whether you’re heading away from home for a business meeting or of to see grandma for a long weekend, check out today’s Top Ten for tips to travel smart this season. 1. Find out whether you will need to have a passport or visa to travel to your destination. The U.S. Department of State website provides this information. 2. Get background information about where you are going. The CIA Factbook is a very helpful site featuring overviews of the history, climate, political situation, demographics and industries of countries around the world. 3. Read up on exchange rates and make sure you know how much you are really paying for your purchases. 4. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know your itinerary so they know to authorize payments. You may also want to ask them about ATMs and getting the best exchange rates. 5. Learn how to make phone calls, whether you are i...
More About: Travel , Thursday

Shop Wisely this Cyber Monday
2007-11-26 17:07:00
Just when you thought you finally recovered from Black Friday you woke up today to face yet another designated shopping day. Yep, it’s Cyber Monday . The term refers to the Monday following Thanksgiving when most people return to their desks to continue the shopping they started over the weekend via the internet. The recent phenomenon draws much attention, but does the day really live up the hype? Either way, it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the precautions we need to take to keep our identities safe this holiday season. Our Black Friday tips easily relate to online shopping this Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season. Also in the news, 60 Minutes ran an investigative piece last night following all the talk about Black Friday on how identity thieves can steal consumers’ credit card information by penetrating stores’ wireless networks. Watch the video and read the story here. Makes paying with cash that much more appealing.
More About: Shop

Getting Through Black Friday
2007-11-20 22:01:00
As consumers gear up for Black Friday , we can’t help but be reminded of how important it is to take extra precautions in keeping our identity safe. Here are some great tips for safe shopping this Black Friday —whether you’re hitting the malls or shopping online. After all, what good is a deal if it costs you your identity?

Meet a Member of the Europ Assistance Team
2007-11-20 15:11:00
This week we introduce you to Wanda Witherspoon, an ID Theft Coordinator who has been with Europ Assistance USA for over 7 months. ME&ME: What does “client service” mean to you?  Wanda Witherspoon: Client service means keeping the client whole. ME&ME: Tell us your most interesting assistance case.  WW: My most interesting case involved an individual with multiple instances of fraud. His credit report was laden with such. This subscriber was 18 years old. ME&ME: What was most appealing in your decision to accept an ID theft coordinator postion with Europ Assistance? WW: Having been a victim myself, I knew I would be able to assist. ME&ME: If you could have dinner with one person, alive or dead, historical or celebrity-who would it be and why?  WW: Prince Charles. I believe his purpsose is under-recognized/utilized/accepted. ME&ME: What’s the last book you read? WW: The Bush Betrayal
More About: Team , Meet

Black Friday: Friend or Foe?
2007-11-19 18:24:00
Ahh, Black Friday . It might sound like a dismal day, but for retailers, it’s the best day of the year. As the biggest shopping day approaches, we can’t help but remind ourselves of how important it is to thwart identity theft and credit card fraud by keeping our purchases safe this holiday season. Of course, that sounds easier than it actually is. Take a recent study by AirDefense Inc., for example. Researchers found that half of more than 3,000 retail stores in the U.S. and Europe use a wireless data system that is vulnerable to hacking by going undercover at stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, London and Paris to expose security holes in the networks. Some of the stores investigated were exchanging data with no encryption to mask information or were using an outdated encryption method that is easily cracked by thieves. ‘Tis may be the season to shop, but we think it’s also the season to watch—your statements, that is.
More About: Friend , Friend or Foe , Black Friday

Freaky Friday: Tossing and Turning
2007-11-16 18:08:00
People usually spend the night in airports under dire circumstances—delayed flights, missed connections or bad weather. One website actually encourages people to spend the night in airports for, well, just the fun of it. The site, www.sleepinginairports.net, ranks the world’s best airports for a sleepover party, giving out the Golden Pillow award and allowing visitors to submit reviews and their own tales of overnight excursions. For those of you are stuck catching some overnight z’s in the terminal, the site is useful for tips and advice on where to find a comfy corner or how to avoid noisy cleaners. While we here at Me&Me prefer beds over airport gates (hey, to each his own), it’s worth looking up the airports you visit frequently in case, dare we say, your flight is delayed.
More About: Friday , Freaky , Toss

Travel Woes This Turkey Day
2007-11-16 18:07:00
For those of you who are regular visitors to Me&Me, you won’t be surprised to hear that experts are expecting this Thanksgiving to be a dreadful time for travelers. Heck, even the President is getting on the “we need to fix this” plane—ahem, wagon—by opening up military bases to be used as “express lanes” this Turk ey Day. We bet he’s thankful Air Force One doesn’t ever have to land at JFK. Also in the news, many Americans are planning on ditching the turkey, parades, and football for a trip abroad. An expert from the Air Transport Association expects international traffic on U.S. airlines to increase by 8% from last year. How do you say “delay” in French?
More About: Travel , Turkey day

Thursday’s Top Ten: Protecting Your Finances
2007-11-15 19:52:00
It seems like the holiday shopping season arrives earlier and earlier every year. With an increase in spending and the craziness of the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of your finances. The tips below won’t stop you from slapping down that credit card, but they can help protect what’s left of your wallet. Check out this week’s Top Ten for tips to help protect your finances. 1. Carry only one or two credit cards in your wallet and only carry identification information that you will actually need when you go out. 2. Review your bank and credit card statements monthly and contact the company immediately if you notice anything suspicious. 3. Check your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus at least twice a year and correct any inaccuracies. 4. Avoid paying by credit card if you think the business does not use adequate safeguards to protect your personal information. 5. If your bank statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit c...
More About: Finances , Thursday

Shop ’till you drop
2007-11-13 17:41:00
It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner and advertisers and marketers are making sure we are all aware. For those of you who opt out of the holiday mall madness and choose to battle the online crowds, check out this article from USA Today about e-commerce sites offering different options for purchasing that expand beyond basic credit card purchases. A survey in the article finds that over one third of consumers feel that services like PayPal, Google Check-out, or Bill Me Later are more secure than entering their credit card information online. Regardless of how you shop, we all need to be on our toes when it comes to protecting ourselves from credit card fraud and identity theft. In the spirit of the holidays and it’s subsequent online shopping, stay tuned for this week’s top tips on keeping your identity safe.
More About: Shop , Drop

Meet a Member of the Europ Assistance Team
2007-11-12 21:41:00
This week we introduce you to Vicki Thompson, a claims pre-processor who has been with Europ Assistance USA for 6 months. Me&Me: What does “client service” mean to you? Vicki Thompson: Client service means catering to every need and want (in my power) that the client might request and to make sure that their trip is as pleasant as possible. Me&Me: What do you enjoy most about your job? VT: Being able to help people when they need it the most. Me&Me: Give us three adjectives that describe you as a person. VT: Optimistic, Focused, and people-person Me&Me: What is the most overplayed song on your iPod? VT: Sara Smile
More About: Team , Meet

The Travel Industry Goes Green
2007-11-07 15:52:00
From reusable bags at the grocery store to energy-efficient light bulbs to sustainable furniture, the whole world seems to be going green—an effort we can’t help but applaud. The movement is even making its way to the travel industry. Go-green guidebooks, environmentally conscious hotels and even hybrid rental cars are available to travelers. But while the majority of Americans say they support a green company, a recent Travel Industry Association study found that just 13% of U.S. adults say they would be willing to pay higher rates or fares to support environmentally responsible travel services. Looks like when it comes down to the green that’s in your pocket, not too many travelers are onboard. And finally, if you are one of the many people who have found themselves dealing with a delayed flight this year, check out these tips that might help in preventing a delay and offers advice for coping with one. We’re from the thinking that anything is worth a shot when it come...
More About: Green , Goes

If it Ain’t Broke …
2007-11-02 20:04:00
Steve Gal, who serves on the board of the Identity Theft Resource Center, offers his perspective on how our identity infrastructure is at the point of new return. And who’s to blame? Surprise, surprise … the internet. Gal believes that in order to really get to the heart of the issue industries involved in identity theft need to step it up, and people need to demand progress. Recent news out of the Senate shows someone is paying attention. Well, at least they are this week. A Senate panel approved a bill that will allow identity theft victims to request monetary compensation for the time they spent getting their lives back in order. It might not end ID theft, but we like seeing movement in the right direction. And as far away from the right direction as you can get, there have been some interesting ID theft cases making waves these days. Check out the waitress who stole customer’s credit card numbers and stored them in a portable swiping device. And the people who &l...

Many Americans Unprepared for the Unexpected This Holiday Travel Season
2007-10-30 17:12:00
Tickets? Purchased. Passports? We’ve got ‘em (finally). Money belt? Done and done. Travel preparation needs to go beyond the basics and our recent nationwide survey found that many Americans aren’t ready when the unexpected occurs. Check out some of the interesting stats of our survey here.
More About: Holiday , Season , Pare

Need Another Reason to Re-Think Purchasing That Monet Print?
2007-10-29 21:42:00
We may not be talking about the Thomas Crown Affair here, but some art aficionados may feel like something was stolen from them today. Art.com’s site was recently hacked and the company is warning its customers of the potential for identity theft. Also in the news, the AP has an informative article discussing errors in medical billing and points out that locating mistakes early on can help in identifying whether those errors are at the hands of the insurance company, your doctor, or a medical ID thief. And finally, we can’t help but notice that Halloween is just a few short days away. Check out this article about staying away from holiday-related spam that could be used to steal your ID. Definitely more trick than treat.
More About: Print , Reason

Freaky Friday: Make Yourself at Home
2007-10-26 19:31:00
It appears that some travelers to Britain are more than just fans of the Full Monty. The Travelodge motel group has reported more than 400 cases of nude sleepwalking in the past 12 months, most of which are male guests. The surge of naked sleepwalkers has forced the motel chain to create guidelines for staff to address the issue. The sleepwalkers almost always show up at the front desk asking for a newspaper or try to check out of their rooms. One tip for staff is to keep towels by the front desk to help protect a wandering guests’ modesty. We bet this causes a few stares in the continental breakfast lines the next morning.
More About: Home , Friday , Make , Freaky

Fines, Fines, Everywhere Fines
2007-10-24 17:43:00
We all hate when planes are late—but the government hates it more. At least, that’s what its pocketbook might soon be telling us. The Transportation Department identified 26 airlines that are at least 15 minutes late more than 70% of the time during a six-month investigation. If any of those airlines had such delays in the most recent quarter being reviewed, they will face financial penalties. Speaking of late flights, officials are also looking into the chronic delays at New York’s JFK airport. JFK has the worst on-time departure record with just 63% of flights leaving on time. Also in the news, airlines are stepping up to help those travelers affected by the tragic wildfires in California.

Young People These Days
2007-10-22 22:31:00
The Department of Justice released an interesting report on identity theft, focusing on the thief rather than the victim. The report found that the majority of identity theft thieves are under the age of 34, with 18% being between the ages of 18 and 24. The report also found that close to two-thirds of offenders are male and in nearly 80% of the cases, the thief worked alone. One of the biggest surprises is that fewer than 20% of crimes involved the internet. Old-fashioned dumpster diving, mail theft, and rerouting of mail through change of address cards were the most frequently used methods for stealing identities. And here we thought young people were completely dependent on technology.
More About: People , Young , Days

Freaky Friday: Is Riding in the Wheel Considered an Aisle or Window Seat?
2007-10-19 23:44:00
We all know the troubles with flying—long lines in security, the inevitable delay, and often high prices. One man took matters into his own hands when he somehow managed to stow away in the wheel well of a Singapore Airlines plane on a flight in Malaysia. Ground crews noticed the stowaway when he fell out of the well upon landing. The man was dizzy but wasn’t otherwise injured on the hour-long flight. We can’t help but wonder if a wheel well gives you more or less legroom, but we don’t plan on finding out anytime soon.
More About: Seat , Friday , Window , Wheel , Riding

ID Theft Bills & Bites
2007-10-17 16:29:00
It’s not often that we cheer for the folks on Capitol Hill, but when a move to protect consumers from identity theft is made, we can’t help but get excited. A bipartisan bill was introduced in the Senate that, if passed, will add to and toughen existing laws as well as give prosecutors stronger tools in prosecuting thieves. The bill defines extortion schemes that threaten to damage or access confidential information on a computer as acts of cyber crime, makes it a felony to use spyware or keyloggers to damage 10 or more computers, and eliminates the requirement that the loss resulting from damage to a victims’ computer must exceed $5,000 for prosecution. The legislation will also let victims of ID theft seek restitution for money and time spent repairing their credit history. This legislation is long-overdue and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a quick passage. Also in the news, a NYC dog-walker has been charged with identity theft, grand larceny, and forgery whe...
More About: Theft , Bills , Bite

How Does Europ Assistance Help Travelers?
2007-10-16 17:13:00
International Assist ance Coordinator Christina Graves talks about the services Europ Assistance offers to travelers.

U.S. Postal Service Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness of Scams
2007-10-15 18:14:00
We here at Me & Me are always looking for tips that raise awareness of threats to your identity and pocketbook. The US Postal Service has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of phishing scams, such as those that claim you have won millions (for, let’s be honest, doing nothing) and ask that you send a payment as a hold on your winnings. Check out www.fakechecks.org to get tips about how to prevent falling victim to this and other scams. Also in the news, TransUnion launches its credit freeze service for consumers nationwide today. You’ll remember we talked about TransUnion expanding the service beyond victims of identity theft and senior citizens to allow all consumers to access the service. Experian will join TransUnion in November and the third of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, is expected to offer the service soon as well. In other news, a new survey released in the UK finds that nearly half of British consumers do not trust their banks with their pe...
More About: Scams , Campaign , Awareness

Freaky Friday: Please Have Your ID and Cell Phone Ready
2007-10-12 20:06:00
We use our cell phones to capture celebrity sightings, check bank statements, and to find out who’s leading in the big game. Oh, and to call people. Now, thanks to the good people at the International Air Transport Association, which represents the majority of the airlines in current operation, we are one step closer to another reason to whip out that cell. The IATA made a move toward allowing passengers to check in for flights using a barcode sent to their cell phones either through e-mail or text message by issuing a global standard for airlines to use. Some airlines, including Air France, Air Canada, KLM and WestJet have already introduced cell phone check-ins. If this move goes forward, passengers will have to supply their cell info upon purchasing a ticket and the code will be sent to your phone or PDA. Then just download your favorite airline’s ringtone, throw your phone in your bag and make your way through the airport in record time. If only it were really that si...
More About: Phone , Cell Phone , Cell , Friday , Freaky

Americans More Concerned About Identity Theft
2007-10-10 18:59:00
We all know that identity theft is a growing concern, so the dedicated Me & Me visitors out there won’t be surprised to hear that over 70% of Americans are more worried about the threat of ID theft than they were two years ago. A survey conducted by Staples also found that over half of Americans don’t believe they are protecting themselves from the threat. Check out these identity theft tips to ensure you are taking the necessary precautions. Also, October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and what better way to celebrate than to make sure you that you are hack-proof and firewall-enabled. The National Cyber Security Alliance and McAfee released a report that says while the majority of Americans believe protecting themselves in cyberspace is crucial, not many are taking the necessary steps to protect themselves. Read the full report here.
More About: Concerned , Identity Theft , Theft , Identity

Second Thoughts on Checking Baggage
2007-10-08 20:37:00
A black suitcase sails by. Then a red one. Next comes a blue one. Oh, and there is the black one again. The streaming line of suitcases has come to a halt, and you find yourself at the carousel sans luggage and sans patience. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you won’t be the only one in line at the baggage office. In the month of July, there was an average of 7.93 reports of mishandled luggage per 1,000 passengers, one of the worst months in 20 years. For the math majors out there, that breaks down to one passenger on every Boeing 737 flight. American Airlines affiliate American Eagle had the worst rate of mishandling 13.96 bags per 1,000 fliers while Hawaiian Air and Aloha Airlines had the best rates of 3.1 and 3.72, respectively. They may operate on island time, but if that means getting your bag to right place, we’re on board.
More About: Thoughts , Baggage

Credit Freezes and Phoenix Takes Some Heat
2007-10-05 16:37:00
Major news today from the big three credit reporting agencies. Experian and Equifax are joining TransUnion in a move that will allow people in all 50 states to freeze their credit histories. We see this is a positive move for people who want to be proactive in protecting themselves from ID theft. In other news, while San Francisco may be the best place for singles and New York tops the list for most expensive cities, it is Phoenix that takes the cake when it comes to identity theft. The non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center along with Uni-Ball pens has ranked the top 50 cities victimized by identity theft, with Phoenix leading the pack. Rounding out the top five are Riverside, California, Las Vegas, Miami, and Dallas. Check out the rest of the list here. No matter where we live, we all have to be vigilant in protecting ourselves from ID theft.
More About: Credit , Heat , Some

BBC Buys Lonely Planet Guidebooks
2007-10-03 17:31:00
The BBC is expanding its empire with the recent purchase of travel book company Lonely Planet . The guidebook’s founders, Tony and Maureen Wheeler, believe the Beeb can push Lonely Planet into the digital world and the move will give them the chance to, well, travel more. You can read all the books in the world, but when it comes to travel advice, sometimes it’s good to hear straight from the horse’s mouth. Check out these tips from travelers on MSNBC. And here’s a final tip, if you are traveling with the family anytime soon, you might want to consider what toys come along for the trip. Airport screeners are paying extra attention to remote-controlled toys as they could be used to trigger explosive devices.
More About: Anet , Guid

Freaky Friday: What Politician Isn’t Asking for Your Money These Days?
2007-09-28 18:11:00
Politicians don’t usually top people’s lists of favorites and a city official in Los Angeles facing that harsh reality. Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn found herself to be a victim of a strange case of identity theft when her name popped up on people’s bank statements. Identity thieves are fradulently withdrawing money from people’s bank accounts across the country, payable to a phony “Hahn Officeholder” account. Hahn’s office has stated that the account is fake and people should pay close attention to their statements and report any wrongdoings. It’s hard to feel sorry for a politician, but when it comes to being a victim of identity theft, we can’t help but share their pain.
More About: Money , Friday , Days , Politician , Freaky

Go Phish
2007-09-28 17:24:00
Replace the “f” in the word “fat” with a “ph”, and suddenly you have a new word that means something is good or, dare we say, hip. Replace the “f” in the word “fish” with a “ph”, and you now have a word that can turn your life upside down. Experts from Carnegie Mellon University have developed an online game that teaches Internet users about the dangers of phishing. The game gives users tips to identify a fraudulent site from a legitimate ones by examining URLS and dissecting web addresses. Take a stab at the game here, and find out if you fall for phishing hook, line, and sinker. Also, check out this article about precautions students should take in creating and protecting passwords. A lesson we can all learn from. And finally, a campus newspaper reporter and advisor find themselves in hot water with officials at Western Oregon University after they discovered a security breach on campus computers and m...
More About: Phish