William Mungall Travel Photo | Rome Maxxi Museum

Travel: Keeping Your Identity Safe

When you’re traveling there are always dangers.  Identity theft has risen as one of those dangers.  In a recent USA Today article, it gives an extensive report of ways to look out for potential thieves and keep your identity safe.  Below are some highlights from the article written by Dara Continenza, a writer for SmarterTravel.com.

Public computers = danger

While many travelers travel with all sorts of personal technology, there are instances where you may need to use a public computer to print your boarding pass, make a reservation, or something else.  Continenza states that public computers are a “hotbed for identity theft.”  There will be plenty of websites that ask to autosave your information onto the computer itself and sometimes you aren’t even asked.  Always delete your history after you have used a public computer and if the public computer is using Google Chrome, you can use an incognito window by pressing “Ctrl + Shift + N.”  The last tip seems fairly obvious.  Avoid checking anything regarding your finances like bank accounts or credit card information.

Use cash

If you have the option to use cash, use it.  If the cash is stolen it is gone, of course, but you won’t be in danger of losing your identity along with it.  If you have to use a card, avoid situations that put it at extreme risk.  Never let someone take your card to a different room.  If the card leaves your sight it is more likely to be used to steal your identity and Continenza points out that overdraft fees could hit you before you even know your identity has been stolen.

ATMs

Many people have had their identity stolen through street side ATMs.  Be wary of non-descript ATMs as it is not all that difficult for hackers to purchase the machine and hack the system to store your information.  Stick with bank branch ATMs and make sure that no one is looking over your shoulder while you input your information.  It is also wise to cover your hand when inputting your PIN.

For more information on the other tips provided, check out the link above.

William Mungall Travel Photo | Antwerp Villa

William Mungall Travel Photo | Bruges Canal

William Mungall Travel Photo | Antwerp Main Square

William Mungall Travel Photo | Yerevan

William Mungall Travel Photo | Musical Fountain

William Mungall Travel Photo | Mount Ararat

Travel Destinations in New England

The Boston Globe Magazine is the foremost authority on all things Boston and the New England area.  Recently, Patricia Harris and David Lyon wrote an article that gives some of the best travel destinations to see in the New England area entitled New England travel guide: 12 classic destinations.  Below are some of the highlights from the list provided by Lyon and Harris.

Lenox, MA

A paradise for the theater and arts crowd, Lenox is considered “the nerve center” for arts in the summer.  While the majority of performances happen in the evening, Lenox provides patrons with a day full of perusing crafts and other art galleries.  It is also a lovely place to get a good cup of coffee and admire the cottage-style architecture throughout the city.

Tanglewood

Fancy the symphony?  Tanglewood is home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  You can tour the grounds with many of the Orchestra’s volunteers for free and come back to the main hall and sit on the lawn to hear one of the best “summer music programs in the country.”

Shakespeare & Company

This summer you’ll be able to see the famous Shakespeare & Company put on three plays (Henry IV, Parts I & II, Julius Caesar, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream).  If you fancy the classic Romeo & Juliet, you can head down to The Dell at the Mount to see a 90 minute version.

Lenox Farmer’s Market

And while you are getting your taste for Shakespeare, you will be very close to the Lenox Farmer’s Market—this is farm country after all.  At night all of the cheese makers and local area farmers visit the market to provide visitors with all they would need for a night picnic, which many people do.

For more on great places to visit in the New England area.  Check out the rest of the article by clicking the link above.

William Mungall Travel Photo | Burj Khalifa

William Mungall Travel Photo | Dubai