Think Like a Spy – Identity Theft Protection Tips

Feb 03

Ashley ChalmersTips for Meeting Planners , , , , No Comments

Think like a spy. 

This was the advice given to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of MPI at a seminar conducted by John Sileo during the January monthly meeting.

John’s background in identity protection came the hard way.  His identity was stolen from his business and used to embezzle almost a half-million dollars from his clients.

While the thief (his best friend and business partner) covered his crimes using Sileo’s identity, John and his business were held legally and financially responsible for the felonies committed.

Identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes and a top concern among all Americans.

And to bring it “closer to home,” it turns out that the meetings industry is perhaps the most vulnerable target when it comes to this type of offense.  Given our propensity to travel often and with visible technology (i.e. Smart phones, laptops, Blackberries, etc.) while spending large amounts of time in airports, hotels and restaurants – we need to learn to protect ourselves from identity thieves, hackers and cyber spies.

Some of the most aggressive thieves are maids and restaurant workers needing new identities to bring family/friends to our country illegally.  Some of the ways to fight back are simple:

  • If you have to leave your computer in your hotel room, forgo having your room cleaned that day.  Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door to discourage entry.
  • If you have to pay by credit card in a restaurant, try to keep the card in sight after you hand it over to the waiter – or take it to the cashier yourself.  Better yet…pay cash!
  • Do not use unsecured wireless outlets such as Starbucks or airport/hotel “free” internet service in the public domain.  These areas are often stalked by “sniffers” who can eavesdrop on unprotected connections.
  • Verify your credit card billings on a frequent basis and respond promptly to Account Alerts.

Beyond travel, it is also important to cultivate personal discretion.  We need to develop a “Privacy Reflex” that will help us to detect and avoid fraud.   Few of us have ever been trained to respond appropriately when someone requests our sensitive information.

Think of how easily you give your data away on the Internet when someone promises you a free gift.  To proactively protect valuable information assets, be very defensive if approached with the following comments!

  • Trust me! 
  • It’s for your safety…
  • We need to hurry…
  • I just need a little more of your information…

Our immediate reaction should be interrogation – gain control of the situation by asking aggressive questions.  Make them justify why they need the information instead of trusting that they have your best interests in mind.

For more information on building a foundation of personal protection, go to http://www.ThinkLikeASpy.com.

Tips for Hotel Privacy

Oct 07

Ashley ChalmersNews , , , No Comments

With Erin Andrews peeping tom causing a stir throughout the country and raising security issues among hotels, we can’t help but think of a few ways for the hotel guest to take safety into their own hands.

Even though many of the large hotel chains are reviewing and investigating their privacy policies, we see no harm in putting a few tips into practice now.

1. Keep your room number private: Be aware that at check in, it’s standard for the clerk to write your room number down on the key card instead of saying it out loud.

2. Stop a Peeping Tom: smear Vaseline on the inside of the peephole lens or place a piece of duct tape over the peephole, as Peter Greenberg recommends, to prevent anyone from seeing inside.

3. Inspect your room: Look under the bed, in the closet, bathroom and shower upon entering your room for anything (or anyone) suspicious.

4. Deadbolt your door: Be sure to deadbolt your door after entering the room – prevents any unwanted parties from entering without your permission; whether it be a housekeeper, maintenance crew, intruder, or a guest assigned mistakenly to the same room.

What are some other safety precautions you practice when traveling? What do you think of the press this situation is receiving? In general, do you feel safe when you stay at a hotel?

Hotel Toiletries – For the Taking?

Apr 28

Ashley ChalmersMisc Tidbits, Places to Stay , , No Comments

Yesterday I saw a commercial for CitiBank that showed several Americans sharing their money saving tips in the current economy.

One in particular stuck out to me: a woman says doesn’t purchase toiletries, and instead takes them from the hotels she stays at.

Perhaps I am misinterpreting the message of the commercial, but it did spark some questions in my mind.

Where do we draw the line? Certainly toiletries are present in a hotel room for guests to use and enjoy, but are they for the taking?

During room service visits, if toiletries have not been used, they will usually not be replaced. Is it wrong for a guest who does not use the toiletries to move them in order to receive more?

I have heard many different guest practices on this issue, and it seems almost everyone has an opinion on it. So…tell me what’s on your mind!

Do you work in a hotel? What’s the standard practice on toiletries?

Are you a frequent traveler? What do you do?