Tips for Teens to Prevent ID Theft
(ARA) – Before he was even in high school, Zach Friesen had bad credit.
Now a 20-year-old college student at the University of Colorado, Friesen’s identity was stolen when he was just 7 years old. The thief used Friesen’s personal information to buy a $40,000 houseboat, then defaulted on the debt. Friesen didn’t discover the theft – and resulting damage to his credit – until he applied for his first job at age 17.
“My story isn’t that uncommon,” says Friesen. “In fact, the largest target for identity thieves is young people, ages 18-29, according to a 2003 Federal Trade Commission study.”
“Teens are targeted because they have clean credit and don’t check their credit reports,” says Melodi Mosley Gates, director of risk management and chief information security officer for Qwest Communications. Friesen now works with Qwest to raise teens’ awareness of the threat of identity theft. Through Qwest’s awareness program, he urges teens to visit AnnualCreditReport.com, where they can obtain free copies of their credit reports once per year. He also visits high schools across the country to share his story, tips and to gather information about teens and technology.
Teens are also at risk for identity theft because they use the Internet and aren’t careful enough about the type of personal identifying information they give out online. At parents and teens can learn how to use the Internet safely and effectively anwww.incredibleInternet.comd find ways to protect themselves from identity theft. There, teens can also take an online credit report tutorial to understand how to read a credit report.
“Qwest was among the first to recognize that young people are the number one target for identity thieves,” says Mosley Gates. “While there are nationwide efforts in place to reduce the incidence of and raise awareness for identity theft, teens are being overlooked as a key audience. With the right information disseminated to teens before they receive their first driver’s license, checking account or credit card, Qwest believes teens can learn how to protect themselves from identity thieves.”
The following tips for protecting your identity provide a good guide for all ages:
- Shred all documents that contain personal financial information before throwing them away.
- Review your credit card and bank statements monthly. Watch for unfamiliar transactions.
- Do not print your Social Security Number on your checks and driver’s license.
- Do not send mail from an unsecured mailbox. Identity thieves often try to steal your outgoing mail.
- When online, never provide financial information unless you initiate the transaction.
- Do not respond to any e-mail that requests personal and financial information.
For more information about identity theft and online safety, visit www.incredibleinternet.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Make Time for Yourself
We moms have a difficult job on our hands. We often wear many hats and are so busy that we can easily forget to make time for ourselves. Many moms know the importance of taking time out but still argue that they just don’t have the time.
The truth is there often isn’t much time. Modern family life is busy and there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day, which leaves you with only one thing to do, and that is to make the time. I know you may be thinking it’s not as easy as that, but it really is.
If you come to terms with the fact that you will always be busy and that your life is hectic then you’ll have no choice but to make the time. I’m not talking about a whole day (although it is advisable if you can manage it) but instead take 30 minutes or an hour here and there.
Give yourself a little time to have a nice bath and read your favorite book or magazine. You can go for a walk or to the gym or even treat yourself to a little pampering. Or you can just sit back with a hot cup of coffee, some nice chocolate and think. Whatever you choose to do doesn’t really matter; the important thing is that you make the time.
As a mom you have an important role in your family. The mom is often the backbone of the family and helps to holds everything together. Realize that your role is so important that you can’t afford not to take care of yourself.
By taking a little time for yourself you can recharge your batteries and come back to your family with a fresh outlook. You will not be the only one to benefit either. Your partner and kids will benefit as well because you’ll feel better and just generally be more relaxed and happy.
If you’re finding it difficult to make the time, talk to your husband or partner about it. Let him know how important this is to you and try to come to an agreement that suits the whole family. Chances are your husband will be more than happy to let you have this time.
Pre-schedule a few times on your calendar and treat it as an appointment. At first you don’t have to start with a lot of time. Start with 30 minutes to go down to your local coffee shop or simply to curl up with a good book.
The bottom line is that by making time for yourself you are not only ensuring you are happier and more satisfied with your life, but you’ll also be teaching your children the importance of taking care and valuing themselves. That’s definitely a good thing.
TV and Large Furniture Tip-Over Dangers
More than 100 Deaths Reported Since 2000, Most Involve Young Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of televisions and heavy furniture tipping over and killing young children. The number of TV tip-over deaths reported to CPSC during the first seven months of 2006 is twice the typical yearly average.
“There are usually five deaths reported to CPSC each year caused by televisions tipping over onto young children, but we are aware of 10 deaths already in 2006,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. “We are issuing this warning so parents will take the necessary steps to prevent any more of these tragedies.”
These deaths and injuries frequently occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks and chests. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries.
From 2000 through 2005, CPSC has reports of 36 TV tip-over-related deaths and 65 furniture tip-over deaths. More than 80 percent of all these deaths involved young children. Additionally, CPSC estimates that in 2005 at least 3,000 children younger than 5 were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV tip-overs.
Industry standards require that TV stands, chests, bureaus and dressers pass a stability test. If a piece of furniture violates these standards, the product can be subject to a safety recall.
To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Verify that furniture is stable on its own. For added security, anchor to the floor or attach to the wall all entertainment units, TV stands, bookcases, shelving and bureaus to the wall using appropriate hardware, such as brackets, screws, or toggles.
Place televisions on sturdy furniture appropriate for the size of the TV or on a low-rise base.
Push the TV as far back as possible from the front of its stand.
Place electrical cords out of a child’s reach, and teach children not to play with the cords.
Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture.
To download CPSC’s new safety alert “Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths,” visit cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5004.pdf
Video Feed Satellite Coordinates (C-Band)
The Video News Release is being broadcast featuring soundbites by Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord, soundbites in Spanish, B-Roll of demonstrations of furniture and TV tip-overs and safety tips.
Wednesday, September 13
10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
Satellite: IA 6
Transponder 15
Downlink frequency: 4000 Vertical
Audio 6.2 & 6.8
Technical Information DURING FEED ONLY, contact Pathfire Customer Care @ 1-888-345-0489 or e-mail support@pathfire.com.
To see this release on CPSC’s Web site, please go to: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06254.html
