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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

We Will Begin Boarding In …
2007-09-26 17:07:00
2003 was the year of the ram. 2006 was the year of the dog. Looks like 2007 will be the year of the delay. Anyone who has stepped foot in an airport this year shouldn’t be too surprised. The Department of Transportation inspector general has issued a report saying that 2007 is on track to be the worse year for air travel delays, breaking previous records set in 2000. The IG, who testifies on the Hill today about the problem, says airlines don’t have the right plans in place and calls for a national task force to work with the FAA on the problem. A couple of weeks ago, the outgoing head of the FAA told airlines to shape up or the feds will intervene. Threats, schmeats. We want to see some action.

How Does Europ Assistance Help An ID Theft Victim?
2007-09-25 15:18:00
Identity theft coordinators talk about how Europ Assist ance USA helps victims of identity theft.
More About: Theft , Victim

Identity Theft on Campus
2007-09-24 17:24:00
Ahhhh, September. Football, crisp fall weather, and the start of a new school year. For many students heading back to campus the start of the semester can also mean repairing your credit report after becoming a victim of identity theft. ID theft on college campuses is a growing trend and in between mid-terms and frat parties, coeds need to be aware of the threat of identity theft. We can’t help but cheer for schools, such as several California State University campuses, who have replaced Social Security numbers on student ID cards with alternate numbers, a big step forward in curbing ID theft. Students can also help themselves by being careful about what they post on social networking sites , keeping a watchful eye on the credit card statements and ignoring offers on campus, and being aware of phone scams, such as people pretending to be from the Department of Education and offering fake grants or scholarships in return for your personal and credit card information. We come...
More About: Campus , Identity Theft , Theft , Identity

Freaky Friday: Jungle Jack and His Flustered Flamingo
2007-09-21 18:24:00
First, it was tiny dogs in pricey carriers a la Paris Hilton. Next, Samuel L. Jack son introduced us to snakes on a plane. And now, a hot pink bird is holding up security lines. When did airports become petting zoos? Animal guru Jack Hanna and his 11-month flamingo, Marty, found themselves in quite a predicament at the Ohio State University airport when Hanna tried to push the bird’s square crate through a circular airport security turnstile, trapping both bird and Jungle Jack in the metal gates. Hanna was able to squeeze through and walked down to a Columbus fire station for help. Rescuers freed Willy, ahem, Marty, and the rest of Hanna’s party (including a small leopard and a mongoose) made it through the turnstile with flying colors. This isn’t the first time Hanna has ruffled some feathers over at the Columbus fire station or the airport. He previously convinced rescuers to drive a sick baby gorilla to a hospital and had some run-ins when flying that included a boa ...
More About: Friday , Freaky , Flamingo

Technically Speaking
2007-09-19 17:22:00
I wouldn’t call us lazy here at Me&Me, but we don’t mind taking a few short-cuts in life. Especially ones that make traveling easier. If you have a hard time keeping your paperwork in order while traveling, check out TripIt, a new web-based tool that compiles your airline confirmations, notes on restaurants you want to check out, and even the weather conditions for where you are headed to. And what can be worse than your iPod or Blackberry running out of juice while waiting in long security lines or sitting on the tarmac? Fighting other passengers for use of the one electrical outlet at the gate. Some airports are trying to help customers who depend on electronic devices while traveling by installing more electrical outlets and kiosks for customers to power up at. We applaud the effort. After all, you’ll need your cell phone to let the office know yet another flight of your’s has been delayed.
More About: Speaking , Ally , Technic

Hot Hotels for Business Travelers
2007-09-14 16:34:00
Gone are the days when hotels are rated on their continental breakfasts and whether they have an internet hook up in the room. Travel + Leisure magazine recently released a list of the top 10 business hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and according to its readers, what makes a hotel hot for business includes everything from interpreters for meetings to 24-hour concierge service. Makes stays on the corporate dollar a bit more tolerable, if not downright enjoyable.
More About: Business , Hotels , Sine

Calling out scammers
2007-09-14 16:30:00
With everyone looking at fraud online these days, we sometimes need to be reminded that not all thieves have graduated from the old-school way of doing things. Check out this post on BloggingAwayDebt for tips on what to look out for when someone calls claiming to be your credit card company. Protecting yourself is as easy as asking questions of the caller to make sure they are legitimate. And remember, you should never have to reveal your Social Security number. Never. We promise.
More About: Calling

A Word from the CEO
2007-09-14 16:00:00
Europ Assistance USA CEO Guillaume Deybach talks about the vision of Europ Assistance and the services the company offers.
More About: Word

Bolivia to Require Visas for U.S. Tourists
2007-09-14 15:45:00
We try to steer clear of politics here at Me&Me, but all too often, we find ourselves affected by it. The latest political move by the Bolivia n government concerns Americans traveling to the country, as a new rule requiring U.S. tourists to purchase a travel visa upon entering the country before December 1st. So whether you’re jetting off to La Paz for business or have been dreaming about exploring the Andes on your honeymoon, make sure you are up to date on the latest regulations. And try to leave the politics behind you.
More About: Tourists , Visas

Retirement … and the living is easy
2007-09-14 15:36:00
Or maybe not. All depends on whether you fall victim to one of the many scams out there that pray on retirees. Check out these tips from Motley Fool, who reminds us that when it comes down to it all, no one gets a free lunch. Or a free retirement for that matter.
More About: Living , Retirement , Easy , Tire