Columnist Muriel Stevens: Fraud has become a way of life

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 | 8:15 a.m.

The race is on. It's holiday shopping time and I'm still waiting for my credit card replacements, two that recently were fraudulently used.

A letter from AMEX apologized for my experience and assured me that the company does not take lightly the actions of those who prey on their clients.

Nice letter, but I'm not assured. Such thefts are a way of life today, so I'll remain vigilant and continue to open bills as soon as they come and check the charges.

Take care when traveling abroad: Know before you go what to leave in your wallet, says a recent issue of TravelSmart newsletter.

Depending on your destination, TravelSmart recommends that you not take more than two credit cards. The ones you select should offer purchase protection and have a 24-hour replacement policy if stolen or lost.

Make certain that the expiration date does not occur while you're traveling just in case your return is delayed. Notify the card issuers that you'll be traveling and where you'll be going.

Cards can be frozen when transactions start coming in from various international locations and the card issuer has not been advised.

Your card company can supply all kinds of information, including where their card is not accepted, if your PIN will work in a foreign country, and the two numbers to call if your card is stolen or lost.

Toll-free numbers do not always work abroad. Ask questions before deciding which cards to take. TravelSmart is filled with such information.

For a free copy of this month's issue of TravelSmart visit www.travelsmartnewsletter.com or call (800) 327-3633 and mention the Las Vegas Sun.

Food and wine baskets: Both Van's Gifts and Wine Country Gift Baskets are offering 5 percent off all Web orders.

Among the wines featured in Van's baskets are Grgich Hills, Beaulieu Vineyards BV Coastal Estates, Silverado Vineyards, Sterling Vineyards, Opus One and more. Order now for delivery later; call (800) 822-7538 or go to www.vansgifts.com.

Wine Country features a similar selection of wines and foods and lovely spa essentials and bath baskets as well. The Robert Mondavi Special Selection wine basket is super. Order now for delivery later; call (800) 394-0394 or go to www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com.

Free subscriptions: Offering a free gift subscription for a friend or loved one with the renewal of the subscriber's subscription is a circulation ploy that many popular mags are using. It must be working, so many mags are doing it.

InStyle recently offered a different sales ploy, one not so wonderful. Renew your subscription and receive InStyle's "166 best beauty buys" free.

What I expected was a normal-size brochure filled with info about the 2004-05 latest beauty products.

What I got was a 4-inch-by-3-inch folder with lists of products for eyes, face, nails, lips, etc. There are no prices and no copy about why these products were chosen as InStyle's "best beauty buys."

On the hair section was a tiny blurb titled "Makeup Artists' Favorite Shades." Which makeup artists? I'll never know. What I do know is that many, if not all, of the brands mentioned are advertisers.