Issue Date: July 9, 2006
Identity stolen? More help is now available
In a recent security breach, the personal data of up to 26.5 million veterans was compromised, possibly exposing them to identity thieves.
They could have a lot to lose: In 2005, the average loss from identity fraud was $6,383, found a study by Javelin Strategy & Research. Victims spend an average of 40 hours and $422 in out-of-pocket costs to clean up inaccurate personal information, close accounts, deal with creditors and secure documentation.
Where to get help:
Go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft to see what steps to take.
Next, determine whether you have access to one of the growing number of identity theft resolution companies. These firms will do some or most of the legwork, providing a "personal advocate" to assist you with filing a police report, gathering paperwork and making calls. Some employers (Rutgers University, Rite Aid Corp.) offer this assistance as a workplace benefit. Also, be sure to check with your bank, credit union or insurance company (it may offer a rider on your homeowner's or renter's policy); many offer expert help for free or a small fee.
A handful of firms (including RelyData, Identity Safeguards, ID Theft Assist) offer resolution services directly to consumers. Subscription fees range from $30 to $200 a year. Non-subscribers who get stung can expect fees of $400 or more for help.
Sharon Epperson is CNBC's personal finance correspondent.
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What's the deal with those exercise balls?
To get the most out of abdominal and back exercises, perform them on a stability ball, not on the floor. A study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reports that using a stability ball provided significantly greater gains in trunk stability as well as balance.
"Even a regular crunch on a stability ball utilizes more muscles than a crunch on the floor," says Jeanine Detz, author of Ultimate Core Ball Workout. "The ball provides a functional workout, making the move more like real-life activity because you have to balance on the ball while you exercise."
The right ball: To select the correct ball size, sit tall on top of the ball, and make sure your hips, knees and ankles are at 90-degree angles.
For beginners: Detz recommends starting with a knee lift: Sit on top of the ball with arms extended in a "T." Keep your back straight, eyes forward, and raise one knee at a time and hold. You'll get the feel for the ball while you work your core muscles, especially the lower abs.
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This camcorder is really easy to use
THIS CAMCORDER RETAILS FOR $130.
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You don't need a film school degree to shoot great-looking home movies. The Pure Digital Point & Shoot Video Camcorder is a palm-sized product for tech-weary memory mongers who want to record life without a hassle. The 512 MB gadget holds 30 minutes of footage and runs on two AA batteries. It has a built-in USB plug for easy uploads and a cord to play straight onto a TV. For about $10, burn DVDs at stores like CVS and Ritz Camera Centers. On the camcorder's back side, below a viewing screen, are power, play, delete and record buttons. Arrow keys help you zoom and navigate through the digital video clips.
Of course, the Point & Shoot alone won't transform your soccer match into a Scorsese film. But for a quick-fix camcorder, it's hard to beat.
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What you eat may cut your chances of triggering asthma, recent research says.
Citrus fruit: Adults who ate more than 46 grams of citrus fruit a day (just 1/3 of a medium orange) were 49% less likely to have asthma than those who ate no citrus, say researchers at the University of Cambridge, England.
Vegetables: Eating antioxidant-rich veggies such as spinach, tomatoes and carrots cuts risk of adult asthma about 20%, according to a study of 68,000 French women. Those who ate more than 3.1 ounces of leafy veggies every day had the lowest risk of asthma.
In addition, fish oil helps to improve breathing in exercise-induced asthma, Indiana University research says.
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