Imagine booking a vacation only to find out that the company files for bankruptcy a week later. As a consumer, would you know what your rights are? There’s a big difference between travel insurance and travel protection. One can leave you with no way to get your money back.

Today’s guest is Michelle Couch Friedman. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Consumer Rescue. She is an experienced consumer reporter, advocate, mediator, author, and licensed psychotherapist. Michelle has also been a columnist, contributing editor, and former executive director for Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy.

• [1:02] - Michelle shares her background and what she does through Consumer Rescue.
• [5:00] - The only way to get money back from a bankrupt company is through your credit card company if you paid with one, or if you have travel insurance.
• [6:36] - Right before announcing their bankruptcy, Vantage did a “sales blitz” and offered great deals to loyal customers, knowing that they wouldn’t deliver.
• [9:49] - Vantage was unique in that it had been a successful business for 40 years and had a loyal customer base.
• [12:44] - Looking back at the way Vantage behaved after the pandemic, there were some red flags.
• [15:43] - Michelle explains the difference between travel insurance and travel protection.
• [17:36] - Travel insurance should be purchased away from the company taking you on the trip.
• [19:47] - Make sure you can find a clause somewhere that says you are protected against the insolvency of the tour operator with or without bankruptcy.
• [22:10] - If the tour operator is not able to deliver, you could file a credit card dispute. But there are some limitations.
• [26:04] - You should always pay with credit cards. Don’t be tempted by discounts offered with bank transfers.
• [31:21] - The average age of Vantage Travel clientele was older and scammers took advantage of their vulnerability.
• [33:10] - When filing claims and filling out forms, personal information makes its way to scammers on a “victim list.”
• [36:09] - Cryptocurrency is a red flag in cases like this as well.
• [38:41] - There is some information you can find by contacting the court in the jurisdiction of the bankrupt company.
• [41:53] - A company bought Vantage Travel’s customer list and had all of their contact information.
• [43:57] - In order to protect yourself, even if you have full trust in the company, do research and find red flags and reports.
• [46:26] - Never pay with a bank transfer, even if they offer a discount.
• [50:40] - Make sure the travel insurance policy protects against insolvency, not just bankruptcy.
• [53:34] - Michelle shares how to reach Consumer Rescue and what services they provide for free.

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Learning how to keep your business safe and protect your online data can be advantageous for your home and personal life as well. Your children and family can create awareness at school and with friends. Today’s guest is Greg Tomchick. Greg is a former professional baseball player turned award-winning cybersecurity coach. He has worked with more than 250 world-renowned companies, including American Airlines, Caterpillar, and Trinity Rail. He is regularly featured live on ABC, Fox, and is an expert contributor to Inc. Magazine. He is now the CEO of Valor Cybersecurity and host of The Connected Mindset.

• [1:10] - Greg shares his background coming from a military family and then as a professional baseball player before learning cybersecurity’s impact.
• [2:42] - As an entrepreneur, Greg’s business experienced a cybersecurity attack.
• [5:45] - The Connected Mindset is helping people become more consciously aware of how they navigate life both physically and digitally.
• [7:26] - Greg explains why they set up budgets of companies and individuals for cybersecurity at Valor.
• [9:25] - The focus should be on the mindset first.
• [10:27] - An unexpected positive is that cybersecurity gives a company or business a competitive advantage.
• [12:58] - Most people don’t think about security until after something has gone wrong.
• [14:43] - What is the difference between culture and mindset?
• [15:50] - Greg shares some of the mindsets and cultures that are unhelpful.
• [18:09] - As connected as we constantly are through technology, we have never been more disconnected.
• [20:50] - When Greg’s business had been attacked, there was no place to report the incident. Things have improved in recent years.
• [24:48] - No matter the size of the business or amount of money an individual has, everyone can be a target.
• [27:08] - Some companies are risking things by going remote without any plan, structure, or security in place.
• [28:45] - Every new device or software that is introduced needs to be considered.
• [30:16] - Greg discusses AI, including the costs and benefits.
• [34:03] - What is the minimum cybersecurity mindset that the everyday person needs to have?

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The media loves sensationalized romance scams, but we need to understand that anyone can be emotionally seduced and it's not just the lonely. No one is off limits to being targeted, no matter the age, status, or career. And the impact is far greater than just financial.

Today’s guest is Becky Holmes. Becky is the creator and voice behind the popular Twitter account Death to Spinach. Becky’s book Keanu Reeves is Not in Love With You looks at all aspects of romance fraud, from the heartbreaking to the hilarious, the academic to the anecdotal, and discusses where we’ve gone wrong in dealing with those affected.

Show Notes:

• [1:08] - Becky runs a Twitter account where she spends a lot of time wasting the time of romance fraudsters.

• [2:38] - An unintended consequence of messing with fraudsters, Becky became a sounding board to victims of romance fraud.

• [4:56] - Once you engage with a fraudster, your name is put on a “sucker list.”

• [6:13] - Becky explains what romance fraud is.

• [7:22] - Victims of romance fraud are generally assumed to be lonely, middle-aged women, which is a stereotype.

• [8:27] - The media sensationalizes victim stories, but this could happen to anyone.

• [9:53] - There’s not a lot of services and support for victims of romance fraud.

• [11:40] - The damage extends farther than the financial loss.

• [13:43] - When it comes to scams, we focus so much on a victim “falling for it” which implies that they are somehow complicit.

• [16:31] - Becky describes an experience she had as a victim of fraud.

• [18:19] - Coercive control is at the center of all types of romance fraud.

• [19:56] - Becky explains confirmation bias and its prevalence in all types of scams.

• [21:25] - Romance fraud is really hard to deal with because it involves the heart.

• [22:43] - Becky shares how scammers usually start conversation and how they navigate getting you on a different app.

• [26:44] - In addition to social media and dating apps, fraudsters also send messages on online games.

• [28:07] - Another common technique is for scammers to pretend to be a celebrity.

• [31:24] - A very successful tactic is when fraudsters pretend to be a part of a charity.

• [34:18] - Becky explains the inspiration behind the title of her recent book.

• [35:56] - We should be looking out for our friends and family.

• [37:21] - If we see something happen, how can we help someone?
  

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