Our nation’s current financial and economic state does not help in the fight against identity theft, as fraud is a major cause of the recession. Fraud is a growing concern in our nation today as families find their lives immobilized as their bank accounts are frozen or depleted from identity thieves. Small credit card purchases can be easy to resolve quickly but there are some victims that are not so fortunate. It may take months to repair credit reports and bank accounts while costing you hundreds of dollars.

It is important for you to be aware of some of the few methods that thieves use to obtain your important information and assume your identity. By knowing these methods you are minimizing the potential that you will become a victim. A very common way for thieves to assume your identity is by rummaging through trash for bills and papers with personal information. A common security measure is to purchase a good shredder to shred all documents with identifying information prior to throwing them away. In addition, you may want to install a monitored home security system. In the case of a home invasion, if a thief steals your personal information, losses and expenses may be exponentially multiplied. Call an ADT specialist today to ensure your home from a break-in.

Identity thieves may also attempt to get you to give them your personal information through phone calls, emails, or online pop-up messages. They may pretend to be calling from a company, claiming they have not received your payment, and ask for your check number, checking account, or credit card number to verify. It seems obvious, but many have fallen prey to these schemes. They can also contact companies acting as if they were you with the intention of obtaining information or purchasing goods on your credit.

You must be on the alert for the latest devices, which affect the security of our identity. For example, there are storage devices, which look similar to a credit card processing device in which you slide your card. They are often stacked on top of standard card swipes so that they appear to be commonplace. This is also known as skimming. The thieves steal your credit card information directly from your card. Luckily there is a line of defense that can minimize the potential for identity theft. Several security and credit report companies are providing identity theft protection to consumers. Through such programs, consumers can receive benefits such as identity theft insurance and alerts when there is unusual activity on their credit reports.

Protect your family, their future, your home and your future by taking these steps to minimize the chances of become another South Florida victim.

The first and most basic home security options is to keep your windows and doors locked. Adding a deadbolt to your door increases its strength and makes it tougher to kick in or shack open. Generic doors can also be modified to a lock that has a number pad, rather than a key lock that could be picked. It is also helpful to put in a security bar for your windows. This will prevent them from being opened from the outside, even if they are not locked. Depending on your home location and your safety conditions, you may even want to consider installing bars across your windows.

As a Floridian, you are annually subjected to the possibility of tropical storms or even worse, hurricanes. A great option is to install impact resistant doors and windows. Impact resistant doors are also an asset to the protection of your home, providing safety and security for families from both storms and intruders. The following are five benefits to installing impact resistant windows to your home:

• They offer immediate protection from hurricanes. Protecting your home has never been

easier. With every impending storm, you can rest assure that your home will be secure.

• They offer protection from burglary and vandalism. The same impact-resistant glass and

heavy construction that keeps flying objects from penetrating these doors and windows also provides a strong deterrent to intruders, thieves and vandals.

• They offer noise reduction. Impact resistant windows and doors act as a significant sound

barrier reducing 50% of outside noise, enhancing the peacefulness and tranquility of your home interior.

• They offer sun protection. Laminated glass used in impact windows and doors blocks

98% of harmful rays, protecting your furniture, rugs, artwork, and family. In Florida, sun protection is as equally important as home protection.

In addition to these great options, the most effective way to prevent access to your home is to install a monitored home security system. If you are considering installing a monitored home security system, ADT is America’s number one home security company. By installing an ADT home security system your windows and doors are protected by providing electrical contacts on your windows and doors that will send a signal when the window or door is opened. While these options are going to be more expensive than changing your locks or adding a window bar, they are also more effective. If you have a room with multiple windows then you may want to consider a glass break detector. These detectors will cover a larger area and will trigger the alarm when a window is shattered. These will of coarse do nothing if a window is left unlocked.

Follow these tips to keep your family and home safe. Doors and windows are the entryways into your home, and only what is good and best for your family should be allowed into your home. Keep burglars out by installing an ADT home security system today.

Comparing two of the most recognized names in the home security business, ADT and Broadview Security (formerly known as Brinks), can help you make the best decision for you and your family’s home safety and security needs. Here is a brief history overview of the two companies:

• ADT was established in 1874; Broadview Security was established in 1983.
• ADT has branches in over 50 countries; Broadview Security has branches in the United States and Canada.
• ADT has over 6 million customers in the United States; Broadview Security has 1.3 customers in the United States and Canada combined.

Not only is ADT the United States’ largest security company, it has been serving Americans for longer and has international credibility, something of great worth to consider when making your decision.

In addition to these important facts, there are other services worth comparing between these two companies. Along with burglary, fire and smoke, medical emergency, and carbon monoxide safety needs, for a Miami resident flooding detection is an important need. ADT offers flooding detection for homeowners, while Broadview Security does not. Some of the many advantages to being an ADT customer are the guarantees. While both ADT and Broadview Security offer 24/7 monitoring to their customers, ADT also offers the following:

• Theft Protection Guarantee: ADT will pay your insurance deductible (up to $500) in the event of a burglary, while your alarm system is armed.

• Money Back-Service Guarantee: ADT offers to refund the system installation prices and pay all monitoring fees after ADT has attempted to resolve your concerns if you are not satisfied within six months of installation.

• Mover’s Security Guarantee: If you are moving from your home more than two years after becoming an ADT customer, ADT will provide you with their special Premium Mover’s Package. This package includes a FREE ADT Security System for your new home PLUS an additional 10% discount on upgrades!

• Home Owner’s Insurance Certificate: For being an ADT customer, you may save up to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance.

These are all great reasons to choose ADT!

Attaining a home security system is an important decision to make, and the facts make that choice much easier. As part of your exploration, call an ADT specialist. They are ready and willing to help better inform you on all your home security questions, and will help you find the best ADT plan and package to ensure the best quality of home security for your needs.

Wireless home security systems are different from the traditional hard wired security systems for a plethora of reasons. The most obvious reason has to be the fact that there aren’t any wires! While that seems self explanatory, with the lack of wires also comes the lack of dangerous installation and the destruction that comes from drilling holes throughout your home to lay the wiring. While you can definitely install these traditional systems yourself, they are  tedious and better left to the professionals, which can do nothing but drive up the cost. With a wireless home security system, the installation is relatively painless and can be done in a few hours at the most. Even better, if you decide to move, there aren’t any holes for you to fill and you can even take the wireless home security system with you to your next home or apartment.

Other than the ease of installation, there are many more advantages to choosing a wireless home security system over the traditional hard wired systems. The amount of security you can add to your home is limitless, as there are dozens of gadgets being designed every day to you that extra little bit of reassurance. Everything from voice dialers to video cameras, and everything in between, is available at your finger tips to make your home a virtual fortress against the threat of would be burglars. Customization is as easy as the installation, and can help you expand your security throughout the premises. With hard wired systems you are limited to the protection of your home, with a wireless system you can include storage buildings, additional rooms, and even your drive way. If you are looking to completely secure your home, a wireless system is definitely the choice for you.

While a wireless home security system is a wonderful alternative to your traditional systems, it certainly isn’t without its flaws. While your basic wireless system is definitely more cost effective than hard wired systems, expanding your security to include cameras and other security measures will drive up the cost. Also, while it is debatable, some people consider the fact that wireless home security systems run strictly on batteries is a negative. Others look at it in a positive light, saying that since the wireless systems run on batteries that you get maximum security in the case of a power outage. Either way you look at it, a wireless home security system is definitely a more than viable alternative to traditional home security systems and can save you valuable dollars in these days of economic distress.

There is no doubt or disputing that ADT corporate has a remarkable reputation for being the longest standing security system provider in history. They are without a doubt the most qualified and knowledgeable residential, commercial and industrial security system provider in the market. From the early 1900,s they became the front runners in the security system industry and have led the way to the advances we see today within this ever increasing market. Today the ADT name has become a household name, and both security system owners as well as non-owners worldwide recognize ADT as the company to trust for their security needs.  With this ever-increasing demand for the ADT brand of security system has come the need to expand the ability to provide for the security needs of America through what is referred to as the ADT Authorized Dealer Program. But that leads someone inquiring about installing an ADT security system whether and ADT Authorized Dealer has the same ability and knowledge to properly design and install a system to fit their particular needs. So in the next few paragraphs we will attempt to answer this question by providing you with the detailed mandates set forth by ADT Corporation to insure the proper design and installation of every security system installed by any ADT Authorized Dealer.

Before even determining the ability or knowledge of any given dealer to be able to design or install a security system under the ADT Dealership program, ADT does a thorough investigation of the proposed dealer. The first thing a proposed dealer must be is state licensed and insured. In order for any individual to become state licensed he must first demonstrate to the state that he has the experience to not only perform the work but also to be able to manage a business. The state requires a minimum of five years experience which must be proven by presenting not only W-2 forms from previous employers but also personal letters from previous employers on company letterhead confirming the employment and worthiness of any individual to take the state exam. The person applying for the state exam must also have a state, local and federal background check performed and cannot have any kind of arrest record in the past. A credit check on the individual is also required by the state and if the person has any type of tax liens or judgments, they must first be satisfied prior to the acceptance of their application. Once all of these criteria have been met, then can the person attempt to pass the state certification exam.  If and when the applicant passes the state exam then the applicant must apply to qualify a company as the license holder. The process of qualifying a company is similar to the process of applying to take the exam. The company’s officials must pass a credit check and the company must present a financial report and business plan to the state in order to be qualified as a state certified company. Once the company is state licensed and permitted to perform work it must then provide the proper liability and workmen’s compensation insurance. After all this is done then ADT will consider them as a candidate for the ADT Authorized Dealer program.

Even though the state has performed a thorough investigation through the process of allowing a company to perform security system installations, ADT now does a similar investigation into the owners and officials of the corporation to establish whether or not the company can be approved as an authorized dealer. Once approved the process continues as the officials and office managers are required to attend an extensive training period which lasts approximately one week. During this one week period, the persons attending are provided with all of the standards and expectations of becoming an ADT authorized dealer, along with a list of rules that must be followed pertaining to the use of the ADT name.

After the company is approved to become an authorized dealer and all of the training has taken place, then the company can begin to operate within the guidelines set forth in the training manuals issued by ADT. Even after all of the training is completed and the company is approved to commence its sales and installation efforts, ADT has a series of checkpoints in place to assure that every installation is done in accordance to their standards. Every installation performed must be done with equipment approved by ADT and must be installed in a way in which ADT can verify that every device installed is communicating properly with the central monitoring station. Every single customer which is sent up for purchase to ADT by the authorized dealer is contacted and surveyed as to the acknowledgement of whether or not they are completely satisfied with the sales and installation of their security system by the dealer.

Although we could go into much more detail on the many ways ADT insures that every installation whether done by ADT corporate or by an ADT dealer is done at the highest level of professionalism and integrity. The information given suffices in determining that an installation done by an ADT authorized dealer meets or surpasses the demands of the number one company in the world when it comes to security, ADT.