Report suspicious behavior or people

Keep a Watchful Eye

Crime Prevention is important and it pays to be on the look out, you never know when something may go wrong.

This happened last week in the Tarpon Woods area and the offender was caught thanks to a good description.

Dear Residents,

On Tuesday 01/12/10 a married couple from Tarpon Woods returned home after being gone for about 40 minutes. When they pulled in their driveway, they noticed a car parked across the street with a young woman and 2 children. She was asked if she needed help and she replied she was feeding her children. The couple went inside and discovered they were victims of a burglary. The husband returned outside to find the suspicious car was gone.

A description of the car was provided to deputies who intercepted it southbound on McMullen Booth Rd. The car was stopped at a residence in Safety Harbor. The car was driven by the woman and her children & boyfriend were passengers. A search of the car’s trunk revealed stolen items from the Tarpon Woods home as well as items from several other burglaries. The couple was charged with the burglaries and child abuse of their children. The boyfriend was out of jail on bond for a Safety Harbor burglary when he was arrested.

This burglary occurred about 5:30 in the afternoon, after the husband had left to go work out. He had left the sliding rear door unlocked. A neighbor across the street had observed the woman in the car but had not spoken to her or called deputies. Vegetation allowed the suspect to access the rear of the home without being seen and provided an exit route where he was picked up by the driver when the owners returned home.

Burglars target homes that are thought to be unoccupied. About ½ of all burglaries occur in the daytime when people are working. Many different methods are used to determine if residents are at home. A burglar(s) do not want to appear suspicious and will use a cover story or a solicitation to mask their intentions.

Report suspicious people or vehicles you observe in your area. Take the time to obtain a description or tag number. Burglars count on people minding their own business, making assumptions or not bothering to investigate to commit these crimes. It is about 3% of the people who commit 97% of the crime. It’s up to us 97% to stop them.

Deputy Charles Skipper

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

Crime Prevention Unit

(727) 582-6960

To check the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and get the latest statistics visit their website  -here-

The Village of Woodland Hills is located in the Squad 8 section.

Quick and easy cookies

Quick and easy cookies for holiday festivities

Shop for holiday cookies and have them delivered!

(ARA) – Close your eyes and anticipate the sights, the sounds and the aromas of the winter holiday season. How far did you get before you started thinking about holiday desserts?

There’s good reason we center much of our celebrating around food – especially those tantalizing baked desserts. Holiday baking warms our hearts along with our kitchens and encourages the spirit of sharing and celebration. It’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in the festive extravagance that marks the season.

But that extravagance doesn’t have to mean a lot of prep time. You can still wow your guests with holiday desserts that don’t require a lot of fuss to make. Just use high quality ingredients to provide full, rich flavor – whether you’re baking a quick recipe from scratch or taking advantage of a box mix.

Kendall McFarland, food research and development manager at Simply Organic, suggests three cookie recipes – oven ready in just 10 minutes – that are sure to add enjoyment to your holiday festivities.

Pecans are a popular nut at the holidays, found in pies, cakes, cookies, even main and side-dish recipes. Here’s one very delicious way to enjoy pecans. These cookies are rolled in confectioner’s sugar, and melt in your mouth.

Pecan snowballs

• 1 cup butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces, chopped very fine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and egg yolks. Add 1/2 cup of the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract, and sifted flour. Stir in pecan pieces.

Roll batter into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake until bottoms are lightly browned, about 12-15 minutes.

Cool on cooling rack, then roll in remaining confectioner’s sugar to coat.

There’s always room for these light cookies — even following a big holiday meal. Kids like to help with this one. Let the real little ones put the almonds on.

Almond cookies

• 50 almonds, blanched
• 1 cup butter
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grind 12 of the almonds to a fine powder. Cream honey and butter together. Add egg, ground almonds, and extracts.

In another bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Add gradually to wet ingredients. Knead into a dough. (Add a drop of water or flour one at a time if necessary to make a kneadable consistency.)

Pinch off small balls of dough and place on greased cookie sheet. Press flat into 1/2 inch thickness. Make an indention in top of each cookie and place a whole almond in each. Bake for 15 minutes.

When time’s really at a premium, your best bet might be to call on a baking mix. There are some high quality baking mixes nowadays, including natural, whole grain, Fair Trade Certified, organic and gluten-free ones. Look for recipes that do something a little different with the mix to come up with a dessert that’s “holiday special.” Here’s one from Simply Organic that uses their cocoa cayenne cupcake mix and chocolate-covered espresso beans to create a uniquely delicious cookie. It’s one of dozens of quick, easy dessert recipes on the Simply Organic Web site (www.simplyorganicfoods.com) that you can get ready for the oven in just 5 or 10 minutes.

Wake up! breakfast cookies

• 1 box Simply Organic cocoa cayenne cupcake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup chocolate covered-espresso beans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet.

With an electric mixer combine cocoa cayenne cupcake mix with softened butter and eggs. Add water. Mix in the chocolate-covered espresso beans by hand.

Use an ice cream scoop to get large uniform-sized cookies and flatten. Bake 12 to 14 minutes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Shop for holiday cookies – have them delivered to your door

Holiday Pet Tips

Top 10 pet health tips for the holidays

(ARA) – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Kwanzaa – no matter what you’re celebrating, pet owners need to remember to keep their pets safe and healthy for the holidays.

“Veterinarians often see an uptick in the number of problematic calls during the holiday season,” explains Dr. Larry R. Corry, AVMA president. “Whether it’s an exposure to chocolate or fatty foods or pets upset due to unexpected guests or costumed visitors late at night, the holidays can present problems for pets. The AVMA urges all pet owners to include the health and safety of their pets in any plans for the holidays.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 pet tips for holiday safety:

1. Be wary of holiday decorations; pets often consume them. “The animal raids the Christmas tree, for example, and this can be unhealthy for the pet and very upsetting for the pet owners,” explains Corry. “If they consume enough tinsel or other decorations, it can cause a blockage that requires surgery.”

2. Flowers are another common holiday feature that can result in an emergency visit. Poinsettias, Amaryllis and mistletoe are on the list of common holiday plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to house pets who decide to eat them, Corry says.

3. Just like people, some pets are better at dealing with house guests than others. If you know your pet has a problem with visitors, work with your veterinarian for solutions. For severe problems, your veterinarian may recommend medications or even boarding the animal.

4. Don’t let your pet climb the Christmas tree. If the tree falls over, your pet could be injured. Consider tying the tree to the ceiling or a door frame using fishing line.

5. Cover Christmas tree water to keep animals from drinking it. The sap from live Christmas trees can make your pet sick.

6. Many people believe that people food makes good treats for their pets, but this isn’t the case. Many common ingredients in a holiday feast – like onions, garlic, chocolate and artificial sweeteners – are poisonous to pets. And dogs that consume an excessive amount of fatty foods, by cleaning a turkey carcass pulled from the trash, for example, can develop a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis.

7. Whether they are Halloween candies or Christmas chocolate, keep sweets out of your pet’s reach, particularly while you’re out. A pet that consumes chocolates while you’re away at work, for example, might be too sick for your veterinarian to save by the time you get home.

8. Unplug decorations while you’re not around. Cats and dogs are often tempted to chew electrical cords.

9. Keep any gift that includes human food out of a pet’s reach. With their sensitive sense of smell, dogs and cats can find those wrapped treats and open them when you’re not around.

10. Candles are a common part of many holiday celebrations. Make sure that you keep lit candles out of a pet’s reach, because the animal could light themselves, or your home, on fire.

The AVMA offers a great deal of information on its Web site, www.avma.org, including a free brochure on common household hazards and a free video about common household poisons.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Math and Science – Yuk

Is that what your kids are saying?

Here are some tips to encourage kids into math- and science-related careers

(ARA) – Some typical answers to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” are: firefighter, princess or an athlete.

But when it comes to dream jobs, an overwhelming 85 percent of kids say they are not interested in a future engineering career — a profession critical to the infrastructure of the country.  That’s according to a survey by Harris Interactive commissioned by American Society for Quality, a global membership organization of quality professionals in all industries and fields including engineering.

Two key reasons that kids are saying ‘no’ to engineering is that they don’t feel confident enough in their math and science skills to be good at it and they believe that it’s not an exciting career choice.

Speaking to the National Academy of Sciences in April, President Barack Obama announced “a renewed commitment to education in mathematics and science,” fulfilling a campaign promise to train 100,000 scientists and engineers during his presidency. Math and science are subjects that provide critical problem solving and thinking skills crucial not only to engineering, but to the 21st century workforce in general.

How are parents influencing their kids? The findings show that although parents believe math and science will help their children be successful, only 20 percent have encouraged their kids to explore engineering as a career option. In fact, girls say their parents are more likely to encourage them to become an actress than an engineer.

Maurice Ghysels, chair of ASQ’s K-12 Education Advisory Committee, says that lessons about the value of math and science should start early and continue as students reach high school. “Encouraging exploration and curiosity is vital to budding engineers. Parents can help younger kids build a bridge using toothpicks and let their teens tear apart and rebuild that old toaster,” states Ghysels.

A useful tool for parents and students is ASQ’s free Real World of Engineering Webinar www.asq.org/education where you can hear engineers’ career stories, and get an idea of the exciting aspects of engineering such as designing bridges and cell phones to inventing medical breakthroughs that save lives.

Some of ASQ’s nearly 14,000 engineer members offer these tips on how parents can help to build a love of math and science with their kids:

* Take children on a tour of local manufacturing companies where they can see first-hand how fun toys and products with which they’re familiar — like bicycles, candy and baseballs — are made. Learn the role an engineer plays in getting the product from the idea stage to store shelves. Suggestions: Jelly Belly Factory tour (www.jellybelly.com) and the Louisville Slugger Museum Factory tour (www.sluggermuseum.com).

* Research vacation spots for geology, technology and science-related attractions and explore manufactured products specific to the area, so you can teach your kids in a fun setting. Suggestions: National Air and Space Museum (www.nasm.si.edu); Computer History Museum (www.computerhistory.org) and the Harley Davidson Museum (www.harley-davidson.com/museum).

* Encourage curiosity in younger children with building blocks, puzzles and Legos Challenge older children with remote control vehicles, robots, or work together to build a tree house.

* Take them to a FIRST Robotics Competition (www.usfirst.org) or get them involved with National Science Olympiad competitions (www.soinc.org).

* Get older kids a subscription to magazines such as Fast Company which profiles young entrepreneurs using their tech knowledge or Scientific American, which unique insights about developments in science and technology.

* Seek out coworkers, family and friends who are engineers, and let them share stories with your children about what they do. Have your engineer friends speak at PTA meetings and school career fairs.

One of the simplest and most important things that parents can do is maintain a positive attitude about math and science, encourage curiosity and keep an open mind as your child explores potential careers.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Painting your home

Painting — a quick and inexpensive way to update your home

(ARA) – In today’s economy, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to spruce up their home without spending a lot of money, and there is no better way to change the look and feel of a room than painting.

But even if you are a first time painter, there’s no need to worry. Just follow these simple tips from the experts and you’ll end up with a room looking like it was painted by professionals.

“Preparation is 90 percent of the battle,” says Lou Manfredini, Ace’s ‘Helpful Hardware Man.’ “Before you pick-up the paintbrush, take a moment to look at the space you are working with and determine the tools you will need for the project. This will help insure you have the right supplies for the job and save you unnecessary trips to the hardware store.”

Paint

Think picking the perfect color is all that matters when choosing paint? Think again. There are two main types of paint to choose from, oil-based and latex-based paints.

* Oil-based paints go on thicker, so it’s less likely that you will have to apply more than one coat. They are ideal for chalky surfaces or walls that already have several coats of paint on them.

* Latex paints give off less of an odor, dry faster and retain color better than the oil variety. The majority of paints sold in the U.S. are latex-based as they have a higher gloss, are easier to touchup and are the perfect choice for wood, drywall, stucco or concrete.

Once you’ve selected the type of paint, you’ll need to choose the level of gloss, which refers to how shiny the paint is.

* High-gloss paints are ideal for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, railings, trim and windowsills because they provide a tough washable finish that is stain resistant. One drawback though is that they show surface imperfections, so make sure you take care when painting with high-gloss.

* Semi-gloss is less stain-resistant, but is easier to work with, so use this type of paint on walls that see less traffic (and fewer dirty hands).

* Eggshell paints are a little less glossy than semi-gloss, and are a good option for those who dislike having shiny walls.

* Matte or flat finish is a perfect choice for ceilings and walls that see little to no traffic.

Finally, you’ll need to know how much paint to get, which you can determine with a simple formula:

* Measure the total footage around the perimeter and multiply by the wall height in feet.

* From this subtract 20 square feet for each door and 14 square feet for each window.

* Divide by 300.

The result is the number of gallons that you’ll need to complete the job. There are also online calculators that can help you figure it out, like the one on AceHardware.com.

Tools

When purchasing paintbrushes and roller covers, try to buy the highest quality that you can afford as it really does make a difference. If you aren’t sure what to buy, choose rollers for large spaces, traditional paintbrushes for smaller spaces and thin angled paintbrushes for corners and trim.

Paintbrushes and roller covers come in natural and synthetic materials. “Use a synthetic brush when you use latex paint since latex can make natural bristles frizzy,” says Manfredini. “Natural brushes are best when used with oil-based finishes.”

Get started

With the right paint and tools on hand, its time to get to work. Push the furniture into the middle of the room and cover with a plastic tarp or old sheet. Next, put painter’s tape along the borders of the space, such as the doors, windows and trim.

Paint in wide brush strokes and alternate the direction you paint to avoid stripes on the wall. In no time, you’ll have a beautiful room to enjoy.

For more painting tips and advice, visit the painting tips section at acehardware.com, or stop by your neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

For more painting tips check this book out – Smart Guide: Painting: Interior and Exterior Painting Step by Step

How to Clean a Flat-screen TV

(ARA) – The next time you walk into the room where your new flat-screen TV is on display, take a good look around. Is it starting to look dirty? Between all the dust and lint that flies around the average room and the dirty fingers used to turn the TV on its mount, it doesn’t take long before the set needs a good cleaning.

But don’t be tempted to use the same methods you would to clean your tube TV. Flat-screen television sets require more specialized care. Here are a few “Dos” and “Don’ts” to keep in mind:

* Don’t reach for strong chemical cleaners like alcohol, ammonia-based cleaners or window cleaners. They can damage the screen’s special coating.

* Don’t spray a liquid cleaner on the screen, as it can leak into the TV casing and damage the circuitry.

* Never use paper towels or newspapers to wipe off the screen either. These are wood products and will scratch the screen.

What you should do instead is look for a solution that is specially labeled “safe for laptop screens” or “LCD and plasma screens” and wipe it on with a soft cloth, preferably one made of chamois, microfiber or 100 percent cotton. These items are sold individually, or in kits available at most home entertainment stores or online. Kits, which typically include the cleaner, wipe cloths and brushes, are the most affordable way to go.

A line worth considering is Sanus Systems’ new Elements Screen Care, a series of quality screen care accessories that gently clean high-end TVs and monitors, and easily remove dust without damaging the screen. Within the Elements line is the ELM101, a complete screen care system that includes a special alcohol and ammonia-free gel that gently cleans TVs and monitors without harming screens or discoloring bezels and a Micro-Mist bottle you can use to apply it in a targeted spray. Also included is a unique microfiber wiping handle that allows for quick, even, window-style-cleaning; a microfiber cloth that cleans without leaving behind lint or residue; and an antistatic dusting brush attached to the wiping handle that lifts debris and static electricity from the screen between cleanings. Sanus also offers a simpler cleaning kit called the ELM102 that includes the detergent gel and a microfiber cloth that stores in the bottle cap.

“We know these cleaners are going to be extremely popular among flat-screen television set owners because they offer the solution they’ve been looking for,” says Jason Schmidt, product manager for Sanus, “an easy and inexpensive way to keep their electronics clean.”

Elements Screen Care products are now available at thousands of retail locations nationwide; a store locator is available at www.sanus.com.

Once you have your cleaner on hand, here are the quick-and-easy steps you should follow to clean your set:

Step 1

Disconnect the power to your TV before you clean it each time. This is much safer, and it will allow you to see the smudges and dirt better.

Step 2

Use either lukewarm water or a cleaning solution to clean your TV, and wipe it on to the screen with a damp, soft cloth. Just a gentle wiping of the screen is enough. Rubbing, scrubbing and hard pressure can damage the screen.

Between cleanings, a little preventative maintenance will go a long way. Remember, it’s important to dust your TV and its screen on a regular basis. Excessive dust will damage any electronic device.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Don’t Give ID Thieves a Holiday Gift

(ARA) – Shoppers may spend less this holiday season, but it’s unlikely crime will take a holiday in the final months of 2008.
It’s important to protect yourself, your property and your hard-earned cash from thieves — especially identity thieves — while you’re holiday shopping this year.

Law enforcement agencies across the country routinely report crime spikes during the holiday season, and there’s no reason to think this year will be any different. Identity theft — the unauthorized use of personal information like your name, Social Security or credit card numbers — generated the most consumer complaints in 2007, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Victims spend an average of 300 hours repairing the damage wrought by ID thieves.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from identity thieves during the holidays and throughout the coming year:

* When shopping at the mall or other retail centers, never leave your purse, wallet or purchases in the car. If thieves break into your vehicle, they won’t just take your cash and merchandise, they may steal any identifying information you’ve left in the vehicle, like your license and registration, credit cards or even club membership cards.

* Likewise, minimize the identifying information and financial cards you carry in your wallet. Carry only what’s required, and never carry your original Social Security card with you; memorize the number and keep the card in a safety deposit box instead.

* Never leave your credit card with a store clerk to process a purchase while you run an errand nearby. In those few minutes, an unscrupulous clerk may take down your credit card information, and a careless one may leave your card where a thief can get his hands on it.

* Don’t believe any merchant — online or in person — who requires you to reveal your Social Security or driver’s license numbers in order to make a credit card purchase. Showing your photo ID and your signature on the credit card should be sufficient for in-person purchases, and the security number for your card should suffice for online shopping. If a merchant insists on additional identifying information, consider taking your business elsewhere.

* You may be tempted to clean out your car when you stop for gas, but never leave receipts, especially bank receipts, bill stubs or any other identifying paperwork in a public trash can. “Dumpster diving” — pulling personal information from documents thrown in the trash — remains a leading route for ID thieves.

* When shopping online, stick with sites that have the closed lock icon at the bottom of your browser. It means you’re dealing with a site that practices security measures. Before you enter your credit card number for any online purchase, always make sure you’re dealing with a secure, trusted site that has a secure certificate.

* Don’t wait until you get a phone call from a creditor you’ve never heard of before you find out about ID theft – enroll in a product like ProtectMyID.com, your single source for identity theft protection.  The service offers a complete program for identity theft protection, detection, resolution and automatic coverage for credit and debt cards. If you do become a victim of ID theft while using the service, they’ll guarantee your losses up to $1 million. They check for important changes to your credit every day so you don’t have to.

Smart safety and shopping practices, and the right protection tools, can help ensure the holidays stay bright for you this year, and not for the identity thieves.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

IdentityTruth predicts potential fraud and provides the earliest possible notification in advance of potential identity misuse.

Halloween 2008 — Friday Night Delight

(ARA) – This year we’re in for an extra-special treat as Halloween falls on Friday night.  Already the second biggest decorating holiday each year — Halloween becomes even bigger when there’s no work or school the next day. Experts are predicting Americans will make Halloween 2008 the biggest in history.

And, in what’s sure to be another dynamic election year, Halloween may be just what the doctor ordered for the country as it will be the perfect way for both “red” and “blue” Americans to relax and celebrate together in orange and black only days before Nov. 4, 2008.

Phil Rist, head of strategy research at BIGresearch, an online market intelligence and interest research company, states, “Halloween is no longer considered a children’s holiday.” He concludes that adults view Halloween as a way to ease the stress of work and everyday life. Richard Laermer, author of 2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade, agrees, suggesting that fantasy is crucial for stressed-out adults. According to Laermer, “The idea of pretending is something that we all just realized is not only possible, but absolutely essential.”

Great Halloween costumes since 1954. Costumes for Adults, Children & more!

“Adults also like to reconnect with fond moments from their childhood” explains Rick Ruffolo, senior vice president of brand, marketing, and innovation at Yankee Candle. “People want to return to the happy, carefree days of their youth. It’s like trick-or-treating down memory lane.”

Besides decorating earlier and more completely this year with spooky Halloween scenes of candlelit chandeliers and jack-o-lanterns, many people will use scent as a way to enhance the experience throughout October. Ruffolo adds. “Numerous studies have proven that scents are the most powerful trigger for memories, as well as the emotions associated with them. Feel-good fall candle scents such as Pumpkin Pie, Autumn Leaves, Pomegranate Cider, Cinnamon Stick, and Farmhouse Apple will remind you immediately of Halloween celebrations as a kid.”

All three make convincing points for getting into the festive spirit of the occasion. Experts agree that not having to get up early the following day will help Halloween 2008 be the biggest in history. People will begin getting in the mood by decorating all throughout the month of October. Happy Halloween!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

2009 Digital TV Transition

The 2009 Digital TV Transition: What You Need to Know

(ARA) – By now nearly everyone has heard something about the digital TV transition set to take place on Feb. 17, 2009. That’s the day when all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will cease broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting solely in digital.

That’s less than a year away — so now is the time to start thinking about how the switch will affect you. Will you choose to get a converter box or will you take advantage of this opportunity and step up to the amazing picture of a high definition TV with a built-in digital tuner?

While the change to all-digital TV might sound a little scary to some people, the fact is that digital broadcasting will benefit everyone, bringing improved picture and sound quality, as well as additional channels and interactive video and data services. The best news is that it’s actually very simple to make the switch from analog to digital TV at home. Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to enjoying a high-definition digital experience in your own home.

Getting Started:

If you’re looking to get the best high-definition picture, you’ll need an HDTV set capable of 720p, 1080i or 1080p picture resolution. You’ll also need a high-definition source such as an HD cable box or satellite receiver and be watching a high definition channel that will show 720p or 1080i resolution. To receive 1080p resolution, which is the clearest, most detailed picture available today, you’ll need a Blu-ray Disc player. If you’re a little confused, don’t fret. The salespeople at almost any store that sells HDTV will be glad to help you out.

Making the Right Connection:

It’s important to remember, however, that when you buy an HDTV, one of the most important components may not be included. To get all that high definition picture and sound from your HD cable box or satellite receiver or Blu-ray disc player, you will want to purchase an HDMI cable to connect your high-definition source to the TV.

Widely regarded as the best high-definition connector available, HDMI cables give you the very best sights and sounds, and because they carry both audio and video digital signals they’re also the easiest way to hook up to your HDTV.

Not All Cables are Created Equal:

There are many different choices when it comes to buying HDMI cables, but like you wouldn’t put economy tires on a sports car, you will want to make sure you go with the highest quality cable available to get all the performance from your high definition gear. This doesn’t have to mean buying the most expensive cable, but you will need to find one that can support the large amounts of data coming from sources that have the new HDMI 1.3 format, 1080p, and the new HD audio formats used on Blu-Ray discs. Even if you haven’t converted to Blu-Ray just yet, planning for future technologies is advisable when it comes to purchasing HDMI cables.

Noel Lee of Monster Cable believes it is possible for all Americans to make the perfect digital connection. His company is offering “Monster Advanced for HDMI” speed-rated cables. “We’ve worked to create a speed-rating system for every budget and hookup,” Lee states. “This way, everyone can enjoy maximum high-definition performance, no matter what system they own.”

For more information about HDMI and to learn which speed-rated cable is right for your HDTV, visit Monster’s HDMI learning center at www.monstercable.com/HDMI. For more specific questions, visit www.monstercommunity.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Don’t Let Thieves Steal Your Identity

Don’t Let Thieves Steal Your Identity

LifeLock is the only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! Click here to get a 10% discount.

(ARA) – In the last five years, more than 27 million Americans have had their identity stolen and, experts predict, more than 50 million Americans will fall victim to identity theft in the next five years.

Colorado professor Anita Jantz is one of those unfortunate enough to have had their identity stolen. While searching online for a fixed rate mortgage, Jantz provided her Social Security number to two or three companies she felt could offer her a good rate. Months later, when applying for the mortgage, a loan officer reviewed her credit report and shared shocking news.

“In addition to my current mortgage, two more were recently added. After further investigation, I also discovered three additional mortgages. In total it was almost $1 million of loans,” Jantz says.

Jantz spent months filing police reports and making dozens of phone calls then signed up with ID Watchdog, an identity theft monitoring service.

“We need to understand that prevention isn’t a feasible concept now,” says Justin Yurek, president of ID Watchdog. “If a thief wants your identity, they’ll get it. No matter how careful you are they could hack into a database, they could physically steal a laptop, there is no guarantee.”

Even when consumers frequently check their credit reports they can become victims because 70 percent of identity theft crimes have nothing to do with credit reports. “A thief could steal your wallet with your driver’s license in it and commit a crime, open a P.O. Box, get a cell phone, put utilities in your name. That has nothing to do with credit,” says Yurek.

According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country. It cost businesses and consumers more than $56 billion in 2005 and most people do not discover their information has been stolen until 12 months after a thief first uses it. Worse, fewer than one in 700 identity theft crimes lead to a conviction.

Despite that, taking preventative measures is still worth the time. The FTC recommends taking the following steps to minimize your chances of having your identity stolen.

* Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before discarding them.

* Do not carry your Social Security card with you and do not write your Social Security number on checks.

* Do not click on links in unsolicited e-mails. If an e-mail appears to be from your financial institution asking for personal information, go to the organization’s official Web site and/or call to ask if the e-mail is from them.

* Computer, credit card and banking passwords should not be obvious. Avoid using your mother’s maiden name, any part of your Social Security number or your date of birth as your password.

* Stop the pre-approved credit card offers. Calling (888) 5 OPT OUT removes your name from the marketing mailing lists of all three credit agencies.

Since there is currently no foolproof way to guarantee your identity won’t be stolen, stay alert for signs that someone may be using your identity.

* If you fail to receive bills or other mail on time or as expected, call the sender directly. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed the mailing address.

* You begin receiving credit cards you did not apply for.

* You have been denied credit or are receiving less favorable credit terms — a higher interest rate or lower credit limit than you’ve received in the past.

* You begin receiving calls from debt collection agencies or businesses regarding merchandise you did not purchase.

FTC statistics show that once a consumer becomes a victim of identity theft, the average time spent repairing the problem is between 400 and 600 hours. Companies like ID Watchdog can save time and hassle by offering identity theft monitoring and prevention.

The services scrutinize customer information and guarantee that if thieves slip something past, the company will fix any problems the customer experiences and help them regain and retain their identity.

“ID Watchdog doesn’t just look at reports from three credit bureaus, we monitor thousands of databases because only 30 percent of identity theft victims get hit in ways that show up on credit reports,” Yurek says. The service also educates consumers about how their personal information — name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number and address — show up in databases all over the world, information most consumers just don’t have access to.

Further information on identity theft can be obtained from the FTC online at www.ftc.gov and a free trial of the ID Watchdog service is available at idwatchdog.com or by calling (866) 416-0783.

Courtesy ARAcontent

Take control of your credit by checking your score and seeing where you stand. You can also make sue that the information on file is correct and up to date. For more information visit:

Monitor Your FICO® Score & Equifax Credit Report

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