AP9 Articles

AP9 Your Savings Club Presents the Ultimate Theme Park Guide

AP9 Your Savings Club, a premier discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, invites adults to let their inner child out so they can openly enjoy one of the most popular activities of the summer — theme parks. Sure, theme parks are thought of as the #1 kid destination, and in most cases, it is one of the least appealing activities for parents. However, AP9 YourSavingsClub presents a few tips to help everyone enjoy their next trip to an amusement park … yes, even the parents.

AP9 Your Savings Club urges parents to plan ahead, work on their patience and learn to have a little fun. Keep in mind that a positive attitude goes a long way. Parents can have a great time simply by noticing how much fun the children are having — hopping on a ride or two wouldn’t hurt either. It’s as simple at that. However, AP9 YourSavingsClub goes the extra mile in making the theme park experience a happy one by providing the following tips:

-- Plan ahead. Researching the ins and outs of the park — new rides, amenities offered, ride restrictions and health warnings — before arriving can save walking time and allow more time for fun. Locating a map of the park and sitting down with the entire family to plan a course of action beforehand can potentially make or break the trip.

-- Get physically ready. A trip to a theme park means walking long hours. Training the kids (and yourself) in advance for the ultra-long walk is important. Trying walking around the neighborhood each night after dinner in the weeks before you leave — you might find that it’ll help your endurance as well as your health.

-- Don’t follow the crowds. An excellent idea is to avoid the crowds. Shorter lines and fewer crowds is the way to go and can be achieved by starting with the attractions in the back instead of the ones closer to the front entrance. And avoid the food courts between noon and two — eat an early or late lunch.

-- Be prepared. Being prepared doesn’t mean carrying a backpack full of everything you may need while visiting a theme park. The idea here is to bring a light bag with useful items in travel sizes, like sunscreen, allergy or motion sickness medicines, etc. Distribute snacks and drinks among the oldest members of the family, and shop for souvenirs and stuffed animals at the end of the day, notes AP9 Your Savings Club.

-- Listen to the kids’ opinions. They helped plan the itinerary for a reason, so asking them what they liked the best every day and what other things they’d like to do are an excellent way to keep everyone involved and excited about the trip.

Please remember that if things don’t go as originally planned — don’t sweat it. Simply enjoy the experience, the rides and especially the quality time with the family. Happy travels this summer, concludes AP9 YourSavingsClub.

AP9 Shopping Essentials Presents Beauty Tips for Looking Years Younger

There’s a very small window in every woman’s life when she wants to look a few years older … usually it’s between 15 and 20 years of age. Thirty years later, the same woman will more than likely be buying every “breakthrough” anti-wrinkle cream and following the “latest” beauty regimen to look years younger. That’s the reality of life — we grow older every passing year. But growing older is no excuse to let one’s self-esteem fall by the wayside. AP9 Shopping Essentials, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, provides five tips every woman should know to look and feel not just two or five years younger — but ten!

Members of AP9 ShoppingEssentials are entitled to exclusive savings on items such as clothing, fashion accessories, jewelry, eyewear, health and beauty aids, and many other purchases perfect for a beauty makeover. Members may access their discounts easily and conveniently by logging in to www.Shopping-Essentials.com.

AP9 Shopping Essentials offers the following tips on looking fashionable, fresh and fabulous — and of course ten years younger:

-- Learn new tricks. The beauty regimens or products that have always worked in the past don’t remain tried and true as time moves on. Don’t get flustered. Just remember to follow these three makeup tricks to help erase the years. One, as women age, their skin becomes drier. Women must constantly moisturize their skin — especially the face and hands. Once the skin is properly moisturized, apply a cream formula concealer to hide imperfections such as age spots and sun damage. But remember that less is more. Two, lose the powder for a liquid base. Powder can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making one look older. Three, try using a brightener around the eyes to hide under-eye circles and dark shadows between the nose-to-eye area. It wakes up the eyes and, more importantly, sheds the years, reports AP9 ShoppingEssentials.

-- Treat your skin as your best friend. The skin needs more and more care with the years. Tanning salons and the sun are two things to avoid in the battle against wrinkles and dry skin. Using sunscreen is an easy way to take care of the face, neck and hands. And applying it every day will certainly help prevent skin damage.

-- Sleep seven hours every night. Sleep allows our body to rejuvenate and heal. Seven hours is the absolute minimum for a good night’s slumber. Less than seven hours a night can hamper one’s metabolism and hormone production — similar to the effects of aging.

-- Keep the body and mind going. An excellent way to feel ten years younger is to keep the body and mind in motion. Eating the right foods, exercising regularly and reading are just some of the things to keep your body, mind and spirit in check.

-- Let the wardrobe speak for itself. Once the body, mind and spirit feel younger, it’s time to show it off in the proper clothing. Clothes that fit properly can make anyone look, feel and act years younger.

This article was brought to you by AP9 Shopping Essentials.

AP9 SavingSmart Talks About Trends for Women This Summer

AP9 SavingSmart reports that when it comes to summer time, it doesn’t matter how high the temperature is on the thermometer — it’s fashion that gives the hottest season of the year its sizzle. AP9 SavingSmart, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, helps members get in touch with their inner fashionista by providing significant savings at popular retailers across the country.

The fashion trends for the summer of 07 incorporate bold prints and styles, feminine touches and lots of color. If going to the stores is a nightmare for you because you don’t know what to get, keep a couple of things in mind: take advantage of all the discounts and sales available, buy key pieces that help build your wardrobe and enhance your body shape at the same time. To help you pick out pieces that will bring out the best of you, read the following summer fashion tips, brought to you by AP9 SavingSmart:

-- Outdoor Glamour. Summer’s sunny climate brings out the nature lover in every gal. The key is to look cool even when the temperature keeps rising, so ban dark hues and shop for light colors and lighter weight fabrics.

-- Flower Power. Gardens and romance aren’t the only things in full bloom this season. Floral patterns on lace, cotton and crocheted materials are feminine and always look fabulous, no matter the time of day. Look for paisleys, pansies and primrose patterns on wrap dresses (yes, they do flatter almost every figure), skirts and tank tops.

-- Style on the Road. If shorts are what make you feel comfortable, be sure to pack some for your summer trip — whether it’s a few days at the shore or your neighbor’s annual Fourth of July barbecue party, but get rid of the old pairs you’ve worn over the past years. This season shorts and Capri pants are tailored, comfy and classic. When you visit the store, ask yourself what would Katharine Hepburn wear and pick the ones you envision her in. Pair with tailored shirts, neutral-colored flats and simply elegant cardigans for breezy moonlight strolls.

-- Primary Colors. One sure way to catch attention is to not shy away from color and dresses, a must element for women this summer. Add splashes of color with red, green and yellow pieces, from Bermuda shorts and crisp Capri pants to timeless tank tops. This summer’s palette is both bold and beautiful, so dare to wear different colors and slip dresses or traffic-stopping mini skirts.

-- Black & White. Leave the little black dress in the back of the closet until the weather has chilled. Instead, mix black with its opposite, white, and create sophisticated looks for anytime of the day. The combo is a classic that will never go out of style. Shop for separates or for a dress that melds the two.

-- Girly style. Ruffles, lace and pleats are popping up everywhere this summer. Don’t be afraid to try something new and incorporate pieces that include any of these touches on your daily wardrobe. Put on a tuxedo-style shirt with tailored pants for work or a flirty babydoll dress adorned with detail for a night out. And don’t forget to incorporate metallic hues. They are totally in!

AP9 SavingSmart brings members great deals every day of the year —significant discounts to shop on clothing for al the family, as well as personal care items, home, entertainment needs, and almost anything they’re looking for!

AP9 Privacy Matters Warns Parents: “Your Kids Are Identity Theft Targets”

AP9 Privacy Matters, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers its members valuable tips on protecting their children from identity theft.

Identity theft has become such a rampant problem recently that cyber thieves have even stooped to ripping off kids. In fact, just last year, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that 400,000 American children had their identities stolen, reports AP9 PrivacyMatters.

Further, and according to the FTC, children are perfect targets for opportunistic identity thieves. In simple terms, there is almost no documented information available on kids — except, of course, their all-important and valid Social Security numbers. That’s how an identity thief tends to view a child: as a virtual “clean slate.” The logic is clear: if a person doesn’t have much of a personal history, then why not just make one up?

When a child’s Social Security number is stolen, the perpetrator has carte blanche to do everything from opening up a credit card account to casting a legitimate vote for a government official. AP9 Privacy Matters warns that any valid Social Security number is fair game to an identity thief, as long as he or she can attach a name to it.

Speaking of that, AP9 PrivacyMatters knows a little something about the mind of an identity thief. That’s why they offer their members these four important ways to make sure kids get a chance to be kids:

-- Be skeptical. Don’t give away your child’s Social Security number unless you’re required to do so by an organization or person that can be held accountable. And if, for example, you are asked to provide a copy of a birth certificate or a Social Security number, ask how long it will be before such information is properly discarded. In short, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

-- It’s all a numbers game. Don’t carry your kid’s Social Security number in your wallet. Instead, memorize the numbers, and put the original documents in a safe place.

-- When in doubt … ask an adult. Teach kids, both young and old, NOT to give away personal information online or offline. For example, if kids want to be part of socially oriented websites such as www.MySpace.com or www.Facebook.com, check things out first. Identity thieves often lie in wait at such sites, just licking their online chops.

-- Give the kids a credit check-up. Taking care of a kid’s teeth isn’t the only important type of check-up they need these days. Give kids a credit check-up to make sure their identity is safe and their credit hasn’t been compromised.

Take heed of some of these timely anti-identity theft tips, and protect those kids — especially those who aren’t even old enough to walk, talk or write yet. Safeguard a kid’s future with a little help from AP9 Privacy Matters.

AP9 Galleria USA Offers Tips on How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene not only helps prevent cavities and bad breath, but also provides numerous other health benefits, reports AP9 GalleriaUSA, a membership program that offers outstanding year-round savings on the everyday items that consumers need.

For those folks who want to have the perfect smile, good oral hygiene is a necessity, suggests AP9 Galleria USA. The best way to reach that goal is by having clean, straight teeth. And face it; no one wants to be known as the person in the classroom or at work with bad breath.

More importantly, however, sustaining good oral hygiene can improve one’s overall level of health, especially for cancer patients. People who don’t utilize the right oral hygiene techniques are at a greater risk for gum disease. That’s why AP9 Galleria USA is providing the following tips on how to ensure proper dental care and acceptable oral hygiene.

-- Brush your teeth at least twice every day. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush that won’t tear at your gums. Brush in back-and-forth motions on the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, but avoid harsh scrubbing, which will also cause irritation to the gums. Brushing is also the best way to fight cavities and mouth disease.

-- Floss on a regular basis. It’s also important to floss every day to reach the tight areas that a toothbrush can’t get to. This prevents plaque from building up by removing particles that are a threat to oral health. Flossing is an underrated practice, but it can do wonders for anyone looking to improve their oral health.

-- Visit a dentist frequently. Go see a dentist every few months or if there are any signs of the following: cavities, gums that bleed regularly during brushing or flossing, loose teeth, red or swollen gums, and sensitivity to hot and cold. Going to see a dentist is the best way to treat dental problems and prevent them from happening again.

-- Use mouthwash to prevent mouth sores and infection. Cancer patients are at a far greater risk for mouth disease than the average person, but it’s still important for everybody to use mouthwash in addition to brushing teeth and flossing. Also, be careful when eating crunchy foods that could scrape gums or other areas in the mouth. When cuts surface, there is a much greater chance that an infection can occur, one of several reasons why mouthwash is necessary.

Good oral hygiene is fundamental for strong, healthy teeth. Brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist regularly are the best ways to prevent serious dental problems, reports AP9 GalleriaUSA.

AP9 PassportToFun Says “Celebrate the Summer Swelter ... Just be Smart”

AP9 Passport to Fun, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, wants its members to have a great time outdoors this summer. The folks at AP9 PassportToFun know, though, that for most of us, summer fun often means exposure to lots of heat and dangerously high temperatures. And that can mean trouble — especially during the dog days that will surely come later this summer.

When erstwhile British pop band Mungo Jerry released “In the Summertime,” in May 1970, they could not have known the impact they would have on the post-hippie music scene and again later on all of popular culture.

Given those now-famous lyrics: “In the summertime when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky,” chances are they didn’t think that the seemingly happy-go-lucky, bubblegum ballad would ever lead to ad campaigns extolling the virtues of reliable automobile coolants, sunscreens with high protection factors (or SPFs), and awareness programs geared to recognize and fight back against heat-related maladies.

With that in mind, AP9 Passport to Fun suggests the following ways to “touch the summer sky,” while still keeping kids, adults and pets shielded from the harmful heat:

-- Name that swoon. Understanding the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is key — especially when the “three h’s” (hazy, hot and humid) make the summer scene. To prevent both, fight back with another set of “h’s,” by staying hydrated, hiding from extreme heat, and hitting a pool, lake, ocean or river near you when possible. If heat stroke is suspected (when the body cannot cool itself off using the steps described above), call a doctor immediately.

-- Never my love. Here’s an easy one: Don’t ever leave a child, pet or elderly person in a car that’s sitting out in the hot summer sun. Not with the windows open, not for a minute and not ever. Enough said.

-- Don’t lose your cool. If you find yourself in very hot climes during the summer months, be smart. Cool your body off by spending some time in air conditioning, and don’t overexert yourself. If, for example, you enjoy outdoor exercise, do it very early in the morning or after sundown.

-- Chug-a-lug a lot o’ water. The human body is two-thirds water, so it needs to stay replenished at all costs — especially in the summer heat. Again, for kids, pets and especially older adults, take frequent water breaks.

AP9 PassportToFun also features other helpful tips on everything from great entertainment bargains to dining deals to family getaways. Want more fun for less? Be sure to visit AP9 Passport to Fun.

AP9 HomeWorks Plus Offers Advice on Protecting Your Family Against Severe Weather Events

Incidents of severe weather, from tornados and hail storms to blizzard conditions and extreme thunderstorms, are clearly on the rise, reports AP9 HomeWorksPlus, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. These weather events increase the risk of harm to loved ones and property, so it’s vital that people know how to keep themselves safe.

Whether it’s a prolonged stretch of killer tornados in the Midwest, heat waves out west or Category-3 hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, severe weather seems to have taken root in the United States, and it shows no signs of leaving any time soon. While witnessing the power and glory of Mother Nature can be awe-inspiring, it can also be very costly, in terms of property damage and injuries or fatalities suffered by humans, notes AP9 HomeWorks Plus.

Like the old saying goes, “Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Well, AP9 HomeWorks Plus has a few tips on what people can do to protect their family and themselves against extreme weather events in the summer:

-- Prepare a disaster supplies kit. Stock the kit with enough materials to last several days. Include clothes; canned food (and a can opener); at least three gallons of water per person; a first-aid kit; any and all necessary medications, including prescription drugs; sleeping bags; portable radio and flashlight (and batteries). Keep the supply kit stocked throughout the year, and refresh the contents with new food and medications as needed.

-- Create an emergency plan for every possible situation. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do during a tornado, a hurricane, a flash flood and any other severe weather event. Determine the safest place to gather in your home, agree on a rendezvous spot (a local school or hospital, for instance) in case you’re separated after a severe storm, and set up an out-of-state friend or relative who can act as a contact person as needed. Write all the information down, and make sure everyone has a copy stored in a safe, accessible place.

-- Conduct an emergency drill before bad weather strikes. Practice makes perfect, and that applies to severe weather incidents as much as it does to, say, playing baseball. Prepare the supply kit, and show everyone where it’s stored, suggests AP9 HomeWorksPlus. Delegate pre-storm duties (storing lawn furniture, closing curtains, bringing pets inside, etc.), and walk everyone through their chores. Decide where the family should go in the event of a tornado (preferably a windowless room in the center of the lowest floor in the house), and remind them to bring cushions or other protective layers to guard against flying objects and/or collapsing walls. Take everyone to the agreed-upon rendezvous point, and determine the safest route for getting there. If you have a back-up generator, make sure everyone knows how to turn it on and use it.

-- Discuss post-storm dangers. After severe weather events leave, certain risks remain. Point out areas around the home and neighborhood where downed power lines, floodwaters or other factors may be a threat after the storm passes.

Severe weather presents great risks to both people and property, but by taking a few precautions, you can reduce the risks that your family faces, notes AP9 HomeWorks Plus.

AP9 BusinessMax Advises Employees on How to Establish the Right Balance Between Work and Home

In today’s society, it’s a great challenge for thousands of men and women to strike the right balance between home life and work life, reports AP9 BusinessMax, a membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^® that provides businesses with great savings on office supplies and corporate services. To get the most out of life, employees need to find the right medium between the two.

There is a common misconception that it isn’t possible for people to have successful careers and personal lives, notes AP9 Business Max. Some overly dedicated workers even think that having a strong personal life away from the office can hurt their careers. In reality, the opposite is true. Not having the right balance can lead to stress, which usually causes productivity to plummet. To avoid being stressed out all of the time, which in turn will enhance the chances for success in all fields, workers need to discover their equilibrium between work and home.

It may seem like an unattainable goal, but the following suggestions from AP9 BusinessMax will help every businessperson discover the balance that works best for them.

-- Set realistic goals at work each day. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, like completing a job that’s too big to be finished in one day. Organize and prioritize your assignments by importance and by their various deadlines. Concentrate first on the most important or relevant projects that need to be completed by a deadline.

-- Be efficient at work. To avoid having to work late or even bring work home, don’t procrastinate. Procrastination can make even the simplest tasks seem like a large barrier. When taking on a big project, work with others, and divide it into smaller, individual tasks.

-- Take a break. Sometimes, a 15-minute break is all it takes to reignite the creative juices, suggests AP9 Business Max. Instead of staring at the computer screen until your vision becomes blurred, go outside for a while, and get some fresh air. This can also reduce stress and improve the quality of your work.

-- Turn off the Blackberry and laptop at home. One of the negatives about the new technologies that have changed the business world is that employees are never really away from the office. After a long, hard day, don’t go right back to work-related activities by checking office email or making business phone calls.

-- Spend quality time with friends and family. After work and on the weekends, it’s important to spend as much time as possible with loved ones. Spending quality time with family and friends should not be a rare occurrence. If the rigors of a certain project make family time difficult to come by, try to find ways to make up for lost time when the project has been completed.

-- Ask for help when necessary. Whether it comes from co-workers or a spouse, don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand when things become too stressful. Everyone needs a little help along the way. On everything from household chores to a big presentation, turn to others if needed.

Finding the perfect balance between work and home can be difficult at times, but in order to maximize career success, happiness, and improve relationships with family members, it’s absolutely necessary for every employee in the business world today. And reaching a helpful balance is an achievable goal if a strong effort is made, reports AP9 BusinessMax.

AP9 24 Protect Plus Offers Fuel Efficiency Tips as Gas Prices Continue to Rise

As anyone who owns a car is no doubt aware, gas prices these days are at or near record highs, reports AP9 24 Protect Plus, a premier security program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. In fact, according to the motorist group AAA, the price of gas continued to climb to previously unmatched heights in May 2007, rising more than ten percent in a month’s time.

There are, of course, a variety of theories offered for these elevating rates, from the war in Iraq to refinery shortages in the U.S. to the possibility of price gouging on the part of the big oil companies. Regardless of the cause, the effect is that consumers are taking more money out of their pockets at the gas pumps, leaving them with less money to spend on other things.

Most people in this country depend very heavily on their cars to get them from point A to points B through Z, so parking the car at home and walking everywhere isn’t a viable long-term solution to higher gas prices. Fortunately, AP9 24ProtectPlus has a few suggestions for getting more mileage out of a tank of gas:

-- Keep it clean. A well-tuned engine wastes less gas than an engine that has clogged lines, dirty filters, eroding plugs and other signs of wear and tear. Take the car in for a tune-up to make sure it’s running as smoothly as possible.

-- Take it easy. A car going 70 miles an hour uses up to 25% more gas than a car following the 55-miles-per-hour speed limit, suggests AP9 24ProtectPlus. Obeying the speed limit will increase your miles per gallon — and save you untold hundreds in speeding tickets.

-- Keep it cool. Want the biggest bang for your gas buck? Fill up the gas tank either early in the morning or at night, when the temperature is relatively low. The cooler it is, the denser the gas will be, which means more gas per gallon.

-- Take it off. Roof racks increase the aerodynamic drag on cars, which reduces fuel efficiency. When the rack isn’t in use, leave it at home.

-- Pump it up. Under-inflated tires can decrease fuel efficiency and wear down tire treads before their time. Check tire pressure at least once a month, and inflate each tire as needed.

-- Take it out. Extra weight in the car lowers the miles-per-gallon ratio. Remove the clutter in your car, whether it’s a set of golf clubs in the trunk or a box full of work materials in the backseat.

-- Turn it off. An idling car wastes gas, notes AP9 24 Protect Plus. If traffic conditions will keep you from moving for at least a minute, turn off the engine.

-- Map it out. Plot out your trip before leaving home to make sure it’s the shortest route available, without any turnarounds or overlaps.

-- Take it public. Buses and trains are much more fuel-efficient than single-passenger cars are, and they offer the added bonus of minimizing the angst that traffic jams often cause.

Soaring gas prices can put a crimp in the household budget, but with a little bit of planning and effort, you can squeeze a few more miles out of each gallon of gas you buy, notes AP9 24 Protect Plus.

AP9 Connections Helps Add Cool Fun to Hot Summer Nights

After all of the brutally cold months this winter, and even spring in some states, summer is finally here. And thanks to AP9 Connections, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, this summer should be one to remember for the whole family.

The summer should be a time for vacation even if you can’t get away from the office. It can be very difficult to take the edge off during the dog days of the season. Oftentimes, the heat will even prevent some people from having fun with their families after work. That’s why AP9 Connections is recommending the following easy activities to make each night this summer as enjoyable as possible.

--Throw a block party. This idea isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel, but a neighborhood party with friends and family could be the perfect solution to cure those summertime blues. When it comes to food, hamburgers and hot dogs are always the perfect combination for a summer night in the neighborhood. So bust out the grill, play some loud music and interact with neighbors, or at least the friendly ones, throughout the night.

--Organize a patio card tournament. It doesn’t have to be as competitive a tournament as ESPN’s World Series of Poker is, but it certainly doesn’t need to be in order to have an enjoyable night. A tournament feel will spice up a typical night of poker on the patio with friends. A card tournament can be a fun night for families as well, but you might want to play a game like “crazy eights” instead of poker.

--Gather the family for a wiffle ball game. There’s nothing more American than baseball in the summertime. So if you want to get in the action instead of watching your favorite team on television, round up the entire family for a friendly game of wiffleball. Make the game as big as possible by inviting friends and neighbors to play. With the right amount of people, a competitive game of wiffleball is a great way to spend a night. But remember that it’s supposed to be fun. Leave the arguing to Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella; don’t get suspended from the backyard. And for lazy folks that just don’t want to run around the bases, have a home run derby instead. If there’s not enough room in the backyard, go to a local park.

--Host a classic festival with summer drinks and finger foods. For those nights that are just too hot to be outside, invite family and friends over for a movie marathon. Make the night even better by offering cocktails and tasty appetizers from Buffalo wings to “pigs in the blanket” (tiny hot dogs). Vote on the movies beforehand so that everyone has their say on what films to watch.

--Have a scavenger hunt. Kids, and even some adults, have a passion for candy and searching for treasure. Combine the two in a candy scavenger hunt for a fun-filled summer night. Buy a lot of candy, hide it throughout the house or backyard, and let the games begin. A scavenger hunt is a great way to spend quality time with the family.

AP9 Connections is committed to providing consumers with useful tips on how to add fun to their lives. And for great savings on restaurant and retailer gift cards, theme park admissions, movie tickets and more, look no further than AP9 Connections.

AP9 Privacy Matters 1-2-3 Alerts College Students to the High Risks of Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime that affects thousands of people across the nation every year, reports AP9 Privacy Matters 1-2-3, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. And perhaps surprisingly, college students make up a big part of the demographic group that faces the greatest risk of ID theft.

According to a recent study conducted by the Javelin Strategy and Research Institute, adults between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most at risk of having their identities stolen. The study revealed that 5.3 percent of people in the 18-24 age group reported being victims, compared to the national average of 3.7 percent. College students may be the perfect targets for identify thieves to prey upon, since they’re less likely to take precautionary steps such as shredding banks statements and using virus protection on their computers.

Recovering from identity theft can be expensive and time-consuming, so it’s vital that everyone take the appropriate steps to protect their identity from thieves. Because college students are at greater risk, AP9 Privacy Matters 123 offers the following tips for avoiding the perils of identity theft:

-- Destroy any paperwork with sensitive information. Make sure to shred all college loan documents that you no longer need, along with credit card offers, suggests AP9 Privacy Matters 1-2-3. Since credit card companies first start contacting young adults when they begin college, it is imperative not to let anyone else access credit card mailings with your name on it. Don’t just throw junk mail that includes personal information into the trash by the campus mailbox—shred it first. Identity thieves can use the mailings to open up an account in your name.

-- Don’t write your Social Security number on checks or college loan documents. Be sure to keep the number out of any paperwork that may fall into unauthorized hands. Social Security numbers are needed to fill out paperwork for your college institution and W-4 forms for employment purposes, of course, but consider these exceptions to the rule.

-- When leaving campus to go to a club or a restaurant, only carry the credit or debit card(s) that you need. This will prevent a lot of headaches if your wallet is lost or stolen. Also, do not carry your Social Security card around, especially in your wallet or purse.

-- Don’t use obvious passwords or PIN numbers for your bank accounts. “Obvious” passwords/PINs include birthdays and family names. Every time you use an ATM, guard the keypad when entering your PIN. If you need to store your passwords, be sure to hide them in a safe place, cautions AP9 Privacy Matters 123.

-- Monitor your credit card and bank statements on a regular basis. If you see any suspicious charges, investigate immediately.

College graduates often remember those years spent on campus as “the best years of their lives.” Current college students who want to make the same claim should take the necessary steps to guard their identity, suggests AP9 Privacy Matters 1-2-3.

AP9 AtHomeRewards Provides Tips on How to Handle Fireworks Safely

Explosive displays are a deeply rooted tradition in the United States culture, going back much further than our national anthem, notes AP9 AtHomeRewards, a membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Fireworks safety, on the other hand, is a lesson that bears repeating every year as we approach our nation’s birthday on July 4.

Well before Francis Scott Key wrote in 1814 of “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, [giving] proof through the night that our flag was still there,” Philadelphia marked the one-year anniversary of our country’s independence by adjourning Congress and setting off bonfires and fireworks against a backdrop of ringing bells. It is, in fact, that 1777 celebration, rather than “The Star-Spangled Banner” (which didn’t become the official national anthem of the U.S. until March 3, 1931), that began the American tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, parades, picnics, speeches and other community events, notes AP9 At Home Rewards.

There’s no word on whether fireworks safety was a common element in the speeches given way back when, but AP9 AtHomeRewards wants to help ensure that the following commonsense steps remain a standard part of our present-day celebrations:

-- Obey the law. State and local laws governing the use of fireworks can vary wildly. Many states place restrictions on certain kinds of fireworks, and some states ban them altogether. Make sure you know the laws in your area before putting a flame to a fuse.

-- Fireworks are not child’s play. Fireworks are, quite literally, explosive materials, which obviously should never be placed in a child’s hand. Rationalizations like “he has to learn sometime” pale in comparison to the potential loss of a finger, a hand, eyesight or worse. While age restrictions on purchasing fireworks vary from state to state, a good rule of thumb is not to let children use fireworks until they’re old enough to drive.

-- Instructions are our friends. Many accidents with fireworks could be avoided if users followed the ignition instructions on labels. The labels often include commonsense tips -- don’t lean over fireworks when lighting them; don’t point them at people or flammable objects; don’t light them indoors or in a container -- along with any special precautions that should be taken for specific fireworks.

-- Douse and discard duds. Fireworks that haven’t detonated -- yet -- can be as dangerous as those that have. Take care around duds: Soak them in water, ideally from the safe distance offered by a hose, before picking them up and throwing them away.

-- Plan for the worst. Always keep a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit nearby when setting off fireworks, suggests AP9 AtHomeRewards. If all goes well, they won’t be needed, but it’s always better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

-- Store with care. Unused fireworks should be stored in a cool, dry area, completely out of reach from children, any and all sources of heat and any other potentially flammable materials.

No Fourth of July celebration would be complete without picnics, parades and fireworks -- not to mention a dose or two of safety measures, reports AP9 AtHomeRewards.

AP9 Simple Escapes Lights the Fuse on July 4th Fun

Who says July 4th fun is just for kids? Not AP9 Simple Escapes, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. On the contrary, the folks at AP9 Simple Escapes want to give all its members, both young and old, a recipe for family fun this upcoming Independence Day.

No matter what’s on the docket — basking in the sun, poolside, readying the barbecue for hungry friends and relatives or just making plans to attend a fireworks show — AP9 SimpleEscapes has a few ideas about how to commemorate America’s birthday in style. To get in the celebratory mode, just think of the following good-time suggestions as one big powder keg of activity. As soon as the fuse is lit … the fun starts:

-- Location, location, location ... and time. There hasn’t been a gala event yet that didn’t have a well-chosen venue. If celebrating the stars and stripes means throwing a big bash, book a local park, meeting hall or a friend’s spacious back yard well in advance. Being spontaneous has its pluses, but don’t forget. The biggest risks with waiting until the 11th hour can be two-fold: 1) All of the big July 4th party venues might already be booked. 2) Friends and family members might have already committed to other plans.

-- Let ’em eat, drink and light sparklers. There’s an old saying that goes, “You can’t eat atmosphere,” when it comes to enjoying food and drink. But that doesn’t mean that a smartly dressed picnic/dinner table won’t add to the fun. Star-shaped napkins, serving trays, plates and bowls will keep guests feeling patriotic while they chow down on munchies and other eats. And all kids (plus plenty of “grown-up” kids too) love sparklers. Be sure to put them atop cakes and other desserts for some further festive eating. Just don’t let the little ones play with sparklers without adult supervision. They can be dangerous if carelessly handled.

-- Let the games begin. Conducting outdoor games is yet another great way to honor Old Glory, suggests AP9 Simple Escapes. Depending on the size of the gathering, choose up sides for tug-of-war, organize egg-and-spoon races, and keep things cool with balloon tosses — using red, white and blue ones, of course.

-- Get a good seat for the show. Virtually every town in America features some kind of fireworks show. Make plans to get to the light show early, and stake a claim to a prime viewing spot.

For 4th of July fun guaranteed to keep even the great Betsy Ross in stitches, check out AP9 SimpleEscapes. And for savings on other fun pursuits, from family vacations to theme park excursions to spur-of-the-moment, romantic getaways, all the signs point towards AP9 Simple Escapes.

AP9 Privacy Matters 123 Offers Advice on Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft in the Workplace

Identity theft is complicated enough, notes AP9 PrivacyMatters123, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, but when the theft occurs in the workplace, it can have even wider implications, raising questions about employer screening methods and security practices, not to mention the issues it can raise regarding the victim’s future career path.

Identity theft can be a rewarding crime, unfortunately, offering perpetrators access to potentially unlimited assets through illegal actions that, when performed by a skilled criminal, are designed to be as difficult to trace as possible. The “money for nothing” allure of identity theft tends to appeal to a broad swath of people, regardless of their race, gender, education level, employment level or other demographic category. Simply put, an identity thief can lurk anywhere — even in your office, cautions AP9 Privacy Matters 123.

While there’s no way to “profile” or otherwise identify someone who may be an identity thief, AP9 Privacy Matters 123 does have a few suggestions for protecting your identifying information as much as possible in a work environment:

-- Guard your Social Security number religiously. Some company documents, including job applications, W-9 forms, health insurance policies and more, need a Social Security number for processing purposes, so be sure to store copies of those documents securely. Other corporate documents — sick day logs, vacation requests, expense reports and others — shouldn’t require a Social Security number. Don’t be afraid to question a request for a Social Security number on such materials. Work with Human Resources and other departments to find ways to replace Social Security number requests with less vital identifying information.

-- Practice safe computer skills. Your computer probably stores a lot of personally identifying information about you, from your name and address to your credit card and even Social Security numbers, cautions AP9 Privacy Matters 123. Don’t leave your computer on and unguarded for any significant period of time; a computer-savvy ID thief can swipe information from your hard drive in less time than it takes to sit through a staff meeting. Also, if you’re receiving a new computer, make sure the information on your old hard drive will be permanently erased once your new computer has been installed.

-- Keep your password(s) to yourself. An effective corporate security policy should never require you to share passwords with co-workers, even if they’re working on projects with you. A password in the wrong hands can potentially cost you every piece of data on your computer, including information that’s unique to you. Memorize your passwords, and, if others need access to information on your computer, key your password in yourself rather than sharing it, even with your boss.

-- Protect your personal materials. Storing your purse or wallet in your office desk is fine — as long as you’re sitting in your office. If you’re in and out of your office all day, you’re at risk for theft unless you can lock your office drawers with a key that no one else has. If security in your office is poor, consider bringing in only those items you need to get through the day (i.e., driver’s license, lunch money, personal grooming items, medications) and leaving everything else (credit cards, Social Security cards, other personally identifying materials) stored securely at home.

Restoring your identity after it’s been stolen can require a lot of your time and resources. Your best course of action is to take pre-emptive steps to protect your identity, even in your workplace, reports AP9 PrivacyMatters123.