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Experian v. Lifelock Ruling
2009-05-29 21:59:00
Last week, a US Federal Judge ruled in the case Experian Information Solutions, Inc. v. Lifelock, Inc. that the intent of provisions in the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), which gives consumers the right to place a free fraud alert on their credit files if they believe they are a victim of identity ...

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Effective June 1, 2009
2009-05-29 18:25:00
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect on June 1.  It requires Americans and Canadians to provide a passport or other identity document showing citizenship when entering the US. These requirements have already been in effect for air travelers, but now land and sea travelers will also have to comply. The website www.getyouhome.gov has been created ...

H1N1 Update - CDC Removes Recommendation Against Travel to Mexico
2009-05-21 18:32:00
At this time, the CDC has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico .   The CDC continues to recommend that travelers visiting Mexico take steps to protect themselves from getting novel H1N1 flu.  The CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of influenza discuss with their physicians the ...
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Win a Trip Around the World from NetGlobers.com and 2nd Chance!
2009-05-20 20:58:00
On a a much lighter and more fun note, NetGlobers.com (powered by Europ Assistance) has launched a contest called 2nd Chance with a pretty sweet prize.  In case you missed it, Tourism Queensland ran a contest earlier this year for “The Best Job in the World ” as caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef.  Well, Ben ...
More About: Around the world , The World , Trip

H1N1 Influenza - Swine Flu Update for May 4, 2009
2009-05-04 21:49:00
Twenty countries have officially reported 985 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Mexico has reported 590 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 25 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States has reported 286 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. The following countries have reported laboratory ...
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H1N1 Influenza- Swine Flu Update
2009-05-01 17:07:00
The virus previously referred to as swine influenza is now referred to as H1N1 influenza. The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 06:00 GMT, 1 May 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 331 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection. The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported ...
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Swine Flu Update - April 30, 2009
2009-04-30 19:01:00
The World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert this evening to 5, which is widespread human infection. Per Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, ?Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world. On the positive side, the world is better prepared for an ...
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Report from EA USA Medical Director in Mexico on Swine Flu
2009-04-29 16:51:00
Here is a report from one of EA USA’s medical directors about the situation in Mexico : Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit 4 private hospitals in Monterrey, the second largest city in Mexico.   There is mandatory reporting of all suspected and confirmed cases to the health department at all hospitals.  Most of the hospital staff ...
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Europ Assistance USA Swine Flu Update
2009-04-28 17:11:00
Summary:  No significant change from yesterday.  Cases in New York now up to 40, cases in Mexico passed 1600 with 149 deaths. Mexico has greater than 1600 cases and 149 suspected deaths United States has approximately 60 cases with no reported deaths Canada has six cases New Zealand has ten cases from travelers recently in Mexico Spain has one case ...
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Europ Assistance Response to Swine Flu Outbreak
2009-04-28 16:39:00
Europ Assistance is closely monitoring the Swine Flu outbreak and is available to help customers with questions or concerns about travel in affected areas.  Europ Assistance doctors are currently in Mexico visiting hospitals to assess the local situation.  Europ Assistance advises customers to follow the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and World ...

Be careful before selling your iPhone
2008-05-23 20:07:00
A lot of attention has been given to the need to be cautious with the disposal of personal computers to avoid identity theft.  But what about personal information transmitted through your iPhone?  With a new version coming out soon, cautious users may want to think twice about who they sell it to, according to a post at Crunch Gear.
More About: Selling , Iphone , Careful

DiscoverAmerica.com – strategy to international tourists to choose the US
2008-05-23 20:05:00
With greater travel documentation restrictions and security, foreign tourists has been shying away from taking vacations in the US, despite their greater buying power due to the weak dollar.  A new site www.discoveramerica.com is a part of a Featuring different travel destinations and helpful info about travel to the US, the site will be translated into several languages and will also serve as a portal to access travel bookings staring in June/July. campaign lead by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) with funding from the US Department of Commerce to encourage international travelers to visit the US.  [Full disclosure EA USA is a member of TIA] TIA is also promoting the huge economic impact tourism has on the American economy at www.poweroftravel.org.  According to the TIA, tourism creates 7.8 million jobs and $700 billion in spending.
More About: International , Strategy , Tourists , Choose

Full Scope of China Earthquake Still Being Assessed
2008-05-13 19:43:00
The large 7.9 earthquake that hit Sichuan province in China yesterday has had a massive human toll, with CNN reporting that are 12,000 believed dead with tens of thousands still buried under the ruble as of this posting.  The damage to infrastructure and communications is disrupting travel to and from the region and its major city most affected, Chengdu.  Chengdu’s airport was reopened on Tuesday, but travelers should still expect delays because of priority going to emergency aid mobilization and repairs. With China hosting the Olympics at the end of this summer, officials have been quick to assure the public that none of the Olympic venues in Beijing (950 miles away) were damaged.
More About: Earthquake , Scope , Full

Medicaid option allows more flexible care choices for seniors
2008-05-08 22:08:00
As the need for senior home care services increases further than the supply, a number of states are looking to creative ways to arrange for elder care.  One of these, Cash and Counseling, is expanding 18 states in 2008 according to this article.  The program pays a stipend equal to the amount that would be paid for traditional home care services and allows the client, with the help of licensed counselors, the ability to select and arrange the mix services that are needed.  The move is an effort to provide a more personally friendly and cost effective care option than a nursing home.
More About: Care , Medicaid , Seniors , Flexible , Choices

Unbundling Airfares
2008-05-05 22:41:00
It started with cocktails, then meals, now the airline industry is moving towards charging additional fees for other things travelers like to have.  Want a window or an aisle seat?  Get ready to pay more than your buddy in the center.  Companies like JetBlue and US Airways are unbundling their fares in new ways, in an attempt to deal with higher fuel costs. It may seem like nickel and diming, but I would do almost anything to avoid the dreaded center seat!  My completely unsubstantiated prediction is that the next level of unbundling will be charging to use the overhead compartment.  May be difficult to administer, but I’m sure someone will figure out how to make it work.

New Airport Security System Launched in Baltimore
2008-04-29 20:29:00
At Baltimore Washington Airport , the Department of Homeland Security unveiled a new airport security area.  Trying to marry better security equipment and processes with a more pleasant, “spa-like� environment is a challenge, and the first users of the system gave it mixed results. How about a facial to go along with your full body scan!  Here’s to the further integration of spa and security.
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Scam Watch: Identity thieves targeting CEOs, Craig’s List users
2008-04-16 21:39:00
Was your CEO one of the 20,000 who received a scam email subpoena on Monday?  Brian Krebs at washingtonpost.com reports that about 2,000 victims were tricked into downloading an item that steals account usernames and passwords from banking sites.  A good rule of thumb – any purported serious legal or other business communication rife with English mistakes is probably not what it claims to be. In other scam news, the Securities and Exchange Commission is going after a phony Latvian brokerage firm that was soliciting job applications on Craig’s List and asking for detailed personal information including social security numbers and date of birth. and then using this information to open brokerage accounts and used transactions within these accounts to make huge profits due to the change in trading volume and stock prices.  Rule of thumb #2, if a job ad sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
More About: Watch , Scam , Users , Identity

The scary details in your travel purchases
2008-03-21 21:56:00
Ever wonder if you’d be reimbursed if the cruise ship you were taking wasn’t able to sail?  Or if your airline is responsible for your checked luggage?  Well, you may want to read the fine print on your rights for your travel purchases according to this report on the CNN website.  If you’re one of the millions who opt to purchase travel online, Travel + Leisure has some advice to protect your travel investment.
More About: Scary , Details

Tips on Identity Security this Tax Season
2008-03-21 21:36:00
As we celebrate the first day of Spring, the dread chill of approaching tax filing time grows stonger.   Me & Me offers some tips to help you avoid some of the information security dangers that lurk during this time of year.  Be Smart, Be Safe If you plan on filing electronically, visit the IRS site for a list of credible online tax filing service providers. http://www.irs.gov/ Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date. Phishing emails can contain software that may harm your computer or track your activities online without your knowledge. Check the security of websites you use to process electronic payments for direct deposit refunds. Certain indicators show that the site is secure, such as a lock icon on the browser’s status bar or URL that begins with “https:� - the “s� stands for “secure�. Use atypical passwords when registering to download tax forms from employers. For example, avoid using your birthday or mother’s maiden name. Password protect you...
More About: Security , Tips , Season , Identity

Medical ID Theft Tricky to Notice and Resolve
2008-03-03 23:56:00
US News and World Report takes a look at medical identity theft in its latest issue.  Medical IDT still a small fraction of reported identity thefts, but then again 250,000 cases of fraud should’t be qualified as tiny.  Again, the problem is finding out how and when your med ID has been compromised.  With your information spread out through several providers or facilities, it can be difficult to know if you are at risk.  If you live in California, the trend-setter for identity theft consumer rights, your health provider legally has to notify you.  Many states don’t have laws requiring consumer notification for compromise of medical records.  Also creating complications in tracking down fraud, privacy legistlation that protects others from seeing our medical information can make it difficult from accessing our own personal records. But the cost isn’t just borne on the victims or the health insurance companies paying out fraudulent claims.  Like fraud from traditi...
More About: Theft , Notice , Tricky

They’re Napin’ Identities in Napa
2008-02-29 21:54:00
What’s the worst area for identity theft?  Evidently it’s Napa , California with the highest per capita cases of identity theft, according to FTC data.   State-wise, Arizona had the highest rates of theft. In other news, Javelin is reporting that the most common way identity theft is occurring is through good old fashioned low tech methods such as a stolen wallet or checkbook.

Tips for a Trouble-Free Spring Break
2008-02-28 17:54:00
Spring break, a time for fun, sun, and various shenanigans.  But, seriously, to stay safe and healthy it’s a good idea not to forget that being in a different environment means you should do your “homework” before you travel.  Here are some simple tips to help students make the most of their mid-term vacation this year. 1.  Do Your Homework. 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.  Get background information about where you are going by visiting the CIA Factbook site, which features overviews of the history, climate, political situation, demographics and industries of countries around the world. 2. It’s All About the Benjamins. Read up on exchange rates and make sure you know how much you are really paying for your purchases. Contact your bank and credit card companies with your itinerary so they know to authorize payments. You may also want to a...
More About: Tips , Free , Break , Spring , Spring break

Interested in some “site” seeing?
2008-02-25 19:41:00
Looking to make some travel arrangements online soon?  Travel + Leisure picks its favorite new airline sites.  From finding the cheapest fare to finding miles bonus opportunities, innovative travel sites are providing tools to simplify the sometimes crazy world of travel planning.  Also on the Travel + Leisure site, some advice on how to make the very weak dollar go further when you travel abroad.
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Extreme Makeover - The Social Security Card Edition
2008-02-12 19:25:00
Perhaps not so extreme, but your basic cardstock social security card may get a high(er) tech makeover.  Two US congressmen are suggesting a card redesign with added security features in an attempt to make card forgery more difficult.  The proposed design includes a photograph, fingerprint, computer chip, barcode, and magnetic strip.  The fancy cards would cost $8 each to produce – a significant increase from the economical 50 cent cards used today, but the congressmen believe they would make it easier for employers to verify the validity of employee’s social security numbers.  Use of fake numbers is a significant problem - employers have reported 1.4 million social security numbers that do not exist according to the Government Accountability Office. Even if these cards get the enhanced security features, it still won’t be a good idea to carry the card with you - keep it in a safe place at home, preferably locked up.
More About: Security , Social , Card , Social Security , Extreme

Talk about your holiday travel nightmare…
2008-02-01 22:17:00
The holiday travel season in China is pretty tough this year.  Weeks of heavy snow storms have created big time problems for the country’s rail and bus systems.  This story from CNN cites 5.8 million passengers delayed throughout the railway system, including some 800,000 stranded at the Guangzhou railway station during the worst of it.  There’s some pretty scary video of the crowds here. It won’t be a huge comfort, but the next time your flight is delayed two hours while they de-ice the plane, just think it could always be worse…
More About: Travel , Holiday , Talk

Driving to Canada? Get your papers ready!
2008-01-30 16:26:00
Tomorrow - January 31, 2008 - as a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, US and Canadian citizens traveling across national borders in the region by land and sea without a passport will have to present a proof of identification, such as a driver’s license plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.   This measure joins the requirement that began on January 23, 2007, requiring these same forms of identification for air travel across national borders within the region.   The intention is for a passport or passport card to be necessary for all international travel within the North American region sometime in 2009. Me & Me’s advice – apply for your passport today if you haven’t already.  Not only will you be able to travel throughout North American and the Caribbean, but lots of other places!  Here’s the US State Department country directory of entry/exit requirements for international travel. For Canadian citizens, you’ll want to visi...
More About: Driving , Canada , Papers , Ready

Fact and Myth on Fraud Alerts
2008-01-17 19:59:00
Fraud alerts are getting some buzz lately as an identity theft prevention strategy.  Consumers who are relying on this as a means of protection should be warned that they can still become victims of identity theft.  What does a fraud alert do?  Well, it signals to a credit grantor that they should double check that you are in fact you, often by calling you at your home.  Anyone, even if not a victim of identity theft, is able to place a 90 day fraud alert on his or her credit records free of charge. It’s important to keep in mind though, that a fraud alert does not 100% prevent thieves from still tricking the credit grantor, nor does it prevent thieves from committing fraud on your existing accounts.  If you’re super-concerned about thieves trying to open accounts in your name, you may want to consider a credit freeze as a means of protecting yourself.  This completely prevents any new credit accounts from being opened.  You can still use your active credit acc...
More About: Fraud , Fact , Myth

Welcome to our new VP Operations and CSO!
2008-01-08 18:20:00
Paige Schaffer has joined Europ Assistance USA as the VP Operations and Chief Service Officer (CSO).  Schaffer will manage the assistance and claims centers, including the travel assistance, claims management, identity theft resolution, medical, concierge, and training teams. Her strong management background in the travel, hospitality, and software as service industries make her a welcome addition to EA USA.  She has worked for companies such as ResortCom International, seeUthere Technologies, Rosenbluth International and Maritz, Inc. where she has held executive roles and serviced a Fortune 100 client base.  We’re pleased to have her a part of the EA team!

Was 2007 the Year of the Data Breach?
2008-01-04 17:49:00
Happy New Year from Me & Me.  Now’s the time of year when we all look to make a fresh start and make changes for the better.  The Identity Theft Resource Center’s report on data breaches in 2007 gives good reason to seek improvement in the New Year.  According to the 2007 ITRC Breach Report, there were 446 reported data breaches affecting just shy of 128 million personal records.  It’s a large increase from their 2006 report, where almost 20 million individuals were affected.  On the positive side, greater attention to privacy laws is getting organizations to fess up when these breaches happen, allowing people to take action to protect themselves from identity theft if critical information gets exposed.
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The Polite Police
2007-12-11 17:22:00
Air travel can be a pain. We all know that. So, what do you do when the passenger in the middle seat hogs both armrests? Or how do you handle the consistent kicking from the unruly kid in the row behind you? And how can you tell if the problem is really someone else or, dare we say, you? Delta Airlines is tackling the issue of decorum aboard planes with “Planeguage: The language of traveling by plane,” a series of 25 comical videos addressing such issues that can make or break your in-flight experience. The airline is showing some of the videos on board flights this month as well as on their website. Check out some of the videos here (http://blog.delta.com/2007/10/31/planegu age-language-of-traveling-by-plane/). Miss Manners would be oh so proud.
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