Real ID scams surge as deadline nears, Better Business Bureau warns
deadline to obtain a Real ID just weeks away
, the Better Business Bureau is warning about a surge in scams designed to steal your identity.
The BBB said scammers are using a variety of tactics to deceive individuals into giving up sensitive information that can then be used to steal their identity, including calls, texts, emails offering to "help" you get a Real ID, or fake websites.
"No government agency will contact you out of the blue regarding a Read ID," warned BB President and CEO Steve Bernas.
Bernas said he expects thieves will rely on the increase chaos and urgency in the finally days before the Real ID becomes required to fly domestically to exploit people who may overlook suspicious URLs or misspelled texts and comply with demands for immediate actions.
Beyond stealing sensitive information, these scams can also expose your devices to malware.
Illinois officials have been working hard to make the Real ID accessible and easy to obtain before the May 7 deadline. A new
Real ID-only supercenter opened in downtown Chicago
at 191 N. Clark Street, which takes walk-ins from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Illinois Secretary of State has also been opening
new DMV facilities
that integrate multiple DMV and administrative services into one location with larger staff in hopes of expediting a number of services, including getting a Real ID.
Real IDs will be required to fly domestically starting on May 7, but that does not mean your driver's license or other official government-issued identification is rendered invalid. Regular IDs are still valid for driving, voting, general identification purposes, entering some state or federal properties and receiving state or federal services.
You will need a Real ID or a valid U.S. Passport or passport card to fly domestically or visit a military base or secure federal facility. If your current ID is not expiring and you have a valid alternative form of identification like a passport or passport card, the state of Illinois recommends you wait to get your Real ID until your current ID expires or the initial crush of Real ID appointments eases.
A U.S. Passport is still required for international travel. To see what you need to bring to get a Real ID,
click here to visit the Illinois Secretary of State website
.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
You Can Glamp in a ‘Bee Pod' In Ireland—and It Has DIY Pizza, Seaweed Baths, and Easy Access to a Stunning Beach
The pods have an unbeatable location overlooking a beach that's within easy walking distance. The cozy spa has hot seaweed baths, considered to be one of Ireland's only Indigenous wellness therapies. The hosts serve rotating homemade breakfast boxes and evening dessert or cheeseboards every day. There are only five pods, all of which are adults-only, which makes for a very exclusive and relaxing experience. I've just finished hiking western Ireland's Sliabh Liag (pronounced as Slieve League), a nearly seven-mile coastal path that hugs the tips of sea cliffs that soar 1,972 feet in the air. It's chilly, the wind feels like it's trying to punish my very existence, and my knees are aching after a three-hour climb. But as I approach the seaside village of Rossnowlagh, located 50 minutes south in County Donegal, I can feel myself beginning to relax. Its crescent-shaped beach (a popular surfing location with Blue Flag status, a certification that means the water is clean and healthy) stretches for over two miles and is powdered with sand so fine it feels like touching silk. Undulating mountains and cliffs, including those that form the Sliabh Liag, hug the horizon so that it feels like you're standing on the inside of a massive bowl. And, camouflaged among the hills that gently roll down towards the shore, are the Bee Pods, a group of five luxury, adults-only glamping pods and my home for the next two nights. Founded in 2019 by Siobhan and William McGuckin, who also live on the property, the pods are completely ensconced in 3.5 acres of dense growth. The vegetation is not only very minimally landscaped but also actively planted in efforts to maintain and promote relaxation within the Irish wilderness—during my stay, William was in the process of planting 200 Golden Willows. The Bee Pods operate with sustainable principles in mind—the McGuckins shy away from weedkillers, continuously plant trees, plants, and bushes, and make their own fertilizers from plants such as seaweed, nettle, and comfrey. '[We were] inspired by a need to recreate that deep connection to the natural world and share it with others,' Siobhan McGuckin told Travel + Leisure . She and her husband have been living in the area for some 30 years. 'Sustainability is at the core of everything we do here.' Here, guests will find a pizza pod, spa, a family of pygmy goats, and several beehives from which more than 400 pounds of honey are harvested each year. The pods are also in a prime location. The Sliab Liag is roughly 50 minutes north, while the medieval town of Donegal is only a 15-minute drive away. During my time at the Bee Pods, I visited a craft village to purchase a souvenir from a local artisan, explored the 551-year-old Donegal Castle, and munched on fish tacos at local haunt Blas. Above all, I took time to decompress in my pod after more than a week of some pretty taxing sea cliff hiking, enjoying the views of Rossnowlagh Beach from my king-sized bed and luxuriating in a hot seaweed bath, one of Ireland's only Indigenous wellness therapies, that left my skin feeling baby-soft. The Bee Pods is a luxurious retreat to relax and recharge in the peacefulness of the outdoors, and the experience is only enhanced by the property's hosts, who exude a warm, classic Irish charm. Here's what it's like to stay at the Bee Pods in Donegal, Ireland. With only five pods, staying at the Bee Pods is a quiet, intimate experience. All pods are designed to blend into the hillside and come equipped with a kitchenette (peppered with small luxe touches like Nespresso machines and Smeg kettles), waffle bathrobes, and an outdoor seating area. I stayed in The Hive, the largest and most private of the five. The room came outfitted with a king-sized bed, a dining room area with sea views, and a bathroom that had a rainfall shower, Voya organic products, and underfloor heating. The Hive also had an expensive patio with a fire pit, a Big Green Egg barbecue put, and a clawfoot tub tucked beneath a heated overhang. There were also tables and chairs with stunning views of Rossnowlagh Beach—the perfect spot to listen to the waves and watch the sunset with a crisp Irish craft cider. Each pod also has at least one piece of upcycled furniture. The couch in The Hive, for example, belonged to Siobhan's great-grandmother, while a wooden side table in the spa area was William's grandmother's, and a beautifully-wrought wooden chessboard in The Queen B pod has been owned by the McGurkins for over 30 years. Make your own pizza at The Pizza Pod. Donegal Wedding Photographer/Ghorm Studio/The Bee Pods Every pod receives a welcome basket upon arrival. In mine, I found a small glass jug of milk, two eggs snuggled in knitted beanies, homemade marshmallows for roasting over the fire pit, homemade granola, and a small jar of honey from the property's very own bees. Every morning, the hosts stop by with a wooden box holding some breakfast treats that Siobhan herself prepares. Offerings rotate every day, but guests can expect food and drink like freshly-squeezed orange juice, overnight oats topped with berries, and parfaits, as well as croissants, ham and cheese toasties, or eggs. In the evenings, Siobhan will leave cheese or dessert platters to snack on. The Bee Pods also have their own dedicated pizza pod with an Ooni pizza oven. For a small fee, you can request prerolled dough and pizza sauce, which Siobhan purchases in person from an Italian restaurant in Dublin, to make your own pies—all you need is to bring the toppings of your choice. For those who may not want pizza or to drive to Donegal for dinner, the pods come equipped with kitchenettes, and the grounds feature a greenhouse with vegetables and herbs that guests can freely pick for their meals. The seaweed baths treatment. Asia Palomba/Travel + Leisure The spa area is small but cozy, and has two clawfoot tubs that overlook an enclosed sandy garden area with lounge chairs. For roughly $40, guests can book a hot seaweed bath. You will need to fill out a quick health consent form beforehand, and bookings can be made in advance or once you arrive at the property. When I took mine, the spa was lit with sweet-smelling candles, and Siobhan left out some water and fruit snacks for me to munch on. The bath may smell a bit briny at first, but the seaweed releases many minerals, like magnesium and zinc, into the water that are great for moisturizing the skin and hair. Don't be shy about rubbing the seaweed all over your body and face, and it's recommended not to shower for a few hours after your bath so that your skin can really absorb the seaweed's oils. I left my first Irish spa experience feeling rejuvenated and with incredibly soft skin. For guests who stay in The Hive pod, seaweed baths can also be arranged for the outdoor clawfoot tub. The Bee Pods is an adults-only property, so this hotel isn't the best choice for a getaway with the kiddos. Beach views can be seen from the patio. Donegal Wedding Photographer/Ghorm Studio/The Bee Pods The Bee Pods do not have any rooms that are specifically designed to accommodate guests with mobility issues. Additionally, wheelchair users may find parts of the property difficult to navigate. Sustainability is top of mind at the Bee Pods. For example, seaweed is only used once per guest. Once a bath is finished, Siobhan collects the seaweed, dries it, and then uses it as fertilizer, alongside nettle and comfrey, around the grounds. The property uses timber from their own trees for firewood, and plants at least 200 trees, plants, hedgerows, and wildflowers every year. 'This is for the bees, birds, and wildlife, [to provide] shelter for our pygmy goats, wild foxes, and other animals,' says Siobhan. There are also plans to install solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and electric charging facilities in the coming months. Scenic views of Rossnowlagh Beach from the Bee Pods. Asia Palomba/Travel + Leisure The Bee Pods are located in southern County Donegal and are within an hour's drive from many popular locations, both in County Donegal and in County Sligo. The nearest major airport, Donegal Airport (CFN), is about 55 miles away, or an hour and a half drive. The property is five minutes away on foot from Rossnowlagh Beach, a popular surfing location and one of Ireland's Blue Flag beaches. There's a surf school nearby for those who are interested in learning how to ride the waves. Roughly an hour north lies the Sliabh Liag and the fishing village of Killybegs, while the town of Donegal, Ireland, and its many restaurants and shops can be reached within 15 minutes. For those who are interested in venturing further, Northern Ireland is only an hour away, while attractions like Irish poet W.B Yates' grave, the six-mile Gleniff Horseshoe loop, and the surfing beach of Strandhill can all be reached in nearby County Sligo. Since the Bee Pods are independently owned, they're not a part of any hotel loyalty programs. They don't participate in any travel credit card programs, either. Guests should also keep in mind that the Bee Pods require a two-night minimum. It's recommended to book directly with the property for the best rates. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
San Francisco Chronicle
03-08-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
SFO braces for nearly 1 million travelers during Fourth of July travel surge
Nearly a million travelers were expected to pass through San Francisco International Airport from Wednesday morning through the Fourth of July weekend, which could mean large swarms at security lines — and a frenetic scramble as people rush to their gates. This rush of people flying to far-flung places is just one illustration of what some experts are calling a national summer travel boom, which may boost the economy while also crowding airports and clogging roads. The trick, tourism insiders say, is to follow a timeworn adage: Plan ahead. With 975,000 passengers expected at SFO — a 4% increase from last year — officials have strongly encouraged people to arrive two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours ahead for international boardings, said spokesperson Doug Yakel. Those who don't carry a Real ID should allow extra time for a potentially more intricate screening process. Fortunately, SFO has no scheduled runway closures, and forecasters expect fair weather conditions. For Bay Area residents driving to Tahoe or Los Angeles, traffic tends to build up near the inter-regional gateways. Examples include Pacheco Pass, which cleaves through the mountains separating Santa Clara County from the Central Valley, or the Altamont Pass between Tracy and Livermore, which feeds motorists from the East Bay to Interstate 5. Traditionally, drivers headed from the East Bay to Tahoe or Sacramento have always dreaded another choke point on Interstate 80, between Davis and Vacaville. Flanked by outlet stores, that stretch of freeway picks up local and regional traffic and has long been notorious for slowdowns. But this year, I-80 road trippers can expect a reprieve. Caltrans has added additional capacity in the form of new carpool lanes between Fairfield and Vacaville, which will be converted to express lanes later this year. The additional lanes have effectively loosened a valve for anyone driving from the Bay Area to Tahoe, Reno, Redding, Sacramento or parts of Gold Country. With Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, people might expect a surge of traffic on Thursday afternoon and evening. 'There's some truth to that,' said John Goodwin, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Still, over years of studying travel patterns, Goodwin said he's learned an important axiom about the Bay Area. 'We leave home over a wide period of time,' he said. 'But we all come back at the same time: 5 p.m. on Sunday.' His advice, for people who want to avoid an epic Sunday afternoon traffic jam, is to head out as early as possible.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean makes popular cruise ship pool adults only
Royal Caribbean makes popular cruise ship pool adults only originally appeared on TravelHost. Although Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line that has long designed its ships for family vacations, its newest cruise ships have broad appeal and are attracting more young adults than ever. Today, about half of Royal Caribbean cruise passengers are Millennials and younger, and that includes adult Gen Z vacationers in their 20s as well as Millennials who don't have kids. Royal Caribbean is attracting younger audiences not just because of its ships' thrilling onboard attractions, entertainment, and nightlife, but for its resort-style pools and bars, its newest Icon Class ships, adults can enjoy elevated beach club vibes at The Hideaway, an adults-only area at the back of the ship that features a wraparound bar and suspended infinity pool offering unmatched ocean views. But The Hideaway isn't the only area of the ship that was designed specifically for adults. Originally, Royal Caribbean planned to make top-deck Cloud 17 the adults-only area of the ship, but changed things up shortly before Icon first set sail. The Hideaway made more sense as an adults-only space tucked away at the back of the ship. That doesn't mean that Cloud 17 and other onboard hangouts aren't popular spots for adults who want to relax on the pool deck, however. One unique pool within Chill Island has always made more sense as an adults-only space. But Royal Caribbean never took steps to keep kids out of the area — until now. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Royal Caribbean makes Swim & Tonic swim-up bar adults only Royal Caribbean just made its cruise ship swim-up bar, Swim & Tonic, adults only, according to Royal Caribbean Blog, an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. A passenger sailing aboard Icon of the Seas sent a photo to Royal Caribbean Blog of a new 'adults only' sign posted at the entrance to Swim & Tonic. A tropically themed pool area featuring a swim-up bar and tables and loungers in the water, Swim & Tonic is a popular spot for adults vacationing with and without & Tonic was previously open to passengers of all ages, and kids often joined their parents in the in-water bar. Now, the popular Icon of the Seas pool is off limits to anyone under the age of 18. Although Royal Caribbean hasn't commented on the reason behind the change, the cruise line likely added the new rule in response to passenger feedback. Icon of the Seas passengers have long argued that Swim & Tonic should be an adults-only space. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Adults have valid concerns about kids in Swim & Tonic For many passengers, it's not only about maintaining a relaxing vibe in what's intended to be a refreshing swim-up bar space, it's about keeping pool water out of their drinks. 'I hated the fact that kids were allowed in the swim-up bar. Got pool water in my drinks because of the kids splashing,' Lopsided_War1859 wrote in a thread about the issue posted in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit. Another passenger's experience revealed something else that causes a problem when kids play in the swim-up bar pool. 'My husband and I weren't able to visit the swim-up bar once on our honeymoon due to the pool being closed for cleaning. It was a daily occurrence for kiddos to have an accident of some sort in that pool,' Gold-Anything4801 Caribbean passengers have also argued that there are plenty of other pools for kids to play in on board Icon of the Seas, including other pools in and around central Chill Island, but there's only one true adult pool — the infinity pool in The Hideaway. Making Swim & Tonic adults only is a move that makes sense to many cruisers, and passengers will surely be eager to see if the new rule applies to Swim & Tonic on the newest Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, too. Star of the Seas sets sail on its first cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida in August. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
