Columnist Muriel Stevens: With credit comes risk of theft

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 8:14 a.m.

With the holidays coming it's more important than ever that shoppers carefully check their credit card statements. Fraudulent charge card purchases, along with identity theft, are among the fastest-growing crimes in the nation.

No one is immune to these malefactions. Every time you use a credit card the information you shared can be spirited away. My turn came this past week when Citibank alerted me to some purchases that did not fit my shopping profile (many of us have one).

Thanks to Citibank's vigilance I won't be charged for the automotive supplies or pricey computer software that was charged to my account.

The second incident is still under investigation, but the charges have been removed by AMEX. Of course, I had to shred my cards and wait for new cards with new numbers.

Does this mean I can use these new cards without fear of this happening again? Unfortunately, no. Those new numbers will be fair game for any skilled hacker or not-so-petty crook once I start using them.

New stores at LV Premium Outlets and LV Outlet Center: Las Vegas Premium Outlets, downtown near the Clark County Government Center at 875 S. Grand Central Parkway, recently added an Ann Taylor Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store and Johnston & Murphy.

Already in place are A X Armani Exchange, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Tahari, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers Factory Store, among many others.

Las Vegas Outlet Center (formerly Belz Outlet World) at Warm Springs Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South recently added Global Feet, Balboa Beach Company, Fox Racing, Nothing But Silver, Robert Wayne Footwear, Uniform Sports and Zumiez.

This, in addition to Nike, Nautica, Izod, Etienne Aigner, Tommy Hilfiger, VF Outlet, Vanity Fair Wrangler Lee, Liz Claiborne, Mikasa, Jones New York, Carter's and many others.

The centers now have the same hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. "Remaining open later in the day has enabled us to better serve area visitors," said Michele Rothstein, vice president of marketing for the Chelsea Property Group.

Meadows mall to unveil Healthy Living Play Area for kids: The grand opening of the Healthy Living Play Area in the Macy's court of Meadows mall will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 13. Meadows mall has joined Valley Hospital Medical Center and the Summerlin Hospital Pediatric Center to make this innovative play area happen.

The large, soft play area is equipped with toys, slides, building blocks and more, all designed to promote exercise, learning, good nutrition and interaction with family and friends. Featured at the grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be a special appearance by Shrek and Winnie the Pooh.

Face painters, jugglers and balloon artists will add their talents. The first 500 kids to visit the play area grand opening day will receive a gift bag from Valley Hospital Medical Center and select Meadows mall retailers.

To be admitted to the play area children must be 42 inches tall or under. Stroller parking, shoe cubbyholes and adult seating are available. Call Meadows mall for more info at 878-3331.