HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: There is a new computer/cellphone attack to be leery of called “Combosquatting.”
Malicious websites creep into your computer by means of what appears to be a familiar name of a bank or business. For example: www.security-(businessname).com, or www.(businessname)-security.com. The hyphen makes all the difference in steering you to a dangerous site. If there seems to be a sense of urgency, be careful. Think before you click on it. Call the business or bank first to find out if it actually sent you that link
— Henry N., Washington, D.C.
DEAR HELOISE: There’s now a law that many travelers are not aware of, called the Real ID Act. It requires fliers in certain states to present another valid form of identification besides a driver’s license. For the list of states that require this second form of ID, visit: dhs.gov/real-id. As of Oct. 1, 2020, this act will apply to all states and all fliers, both domestically and internationally. The Department of Homeland Security lists all acceptable ID, including a passport, a border-crossing card and a driver’s license. For the entire list, go to: tsa. gov/travel/security-screening/ identification.
— Elizabeth G., New York, N.Y.
DEAR HELOISE: While traveling overseas, my husband and I learned a lot about hand gestures that we’d thought were innocent. We were wrong. To Americans, a thumbs-up sign means a job well done or approval, but in the Middle East, Greece and parts of Italy, it’s considered a vulgar sign. Never touch someone on the head in Thailand: It’s considered rude. Before traveling to any foreign country, I recommend learning about the gestures of that country.
— Beth and Richard F.,
Concord, N.H.
DEAR HELOISE: What happens to lost luggage?
— Pam A., Tennessee DEAR READER: Most luggage is misdirected rather than lost, and the majority is eventually returned to the owners. When luggage is unclaimed for three months, and after every effort is made to locate the luggage, claims usually are paid on lost bags. The luggage at that point becomes the property of the airlines, and they sell the unclaimed bags to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama.