How to keep your identity safe and sound.

Recently, Universal released a hugely successful movie, Identity Thief, starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, in which Genesis Rodríguez, the real-life daughter of Venezuelan superstar El Puma, plays a very bad girl indeed. It’s a raucous comedy…but it deals with a subject that’s no laughing matter in real life.

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes to afflict people in our cyber-connected world. Using your credit cards or your Internet messages to gather information like your Social Security number, your passwords, your birthday, or your bank account numbers, identity thieves can empty your bank accounts, ruin your credit, use your identity to fund drug purchases or obtain medical benefits, or provide fraudulent documentation to people who’ve entered the country illegally. It’s a growing crime: according to Equifax, more than 11.6 million adults had their identities stolen in 2011. A year later, complaints with the Internal Revenue Service’s Identity Protection Specialized Unit were up by 80%.

Is there any way you can protect yourself? Here are a few tips!

Your Internet provider offers free Internet security service for your protection; use it to keep tech-savvy identity thieves from stealing your personal information.

Use unique passwords that are different for each website you frequent, and make sure they’re sufficiently complex.

Don’t put your age, birthdate, address, family names, or other sensitive information on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts.

You are entitled to one free credit report each year, which you can get  at annualcreditreport.com. Use it! See if it lists unfamiliar lines of credit, an account you didn’t open, errors in your personal information or a wrong Social Security number.

1. Honor thy mobile device. Know where it is, and don’t put it where it can easily be taken, for it stores much information about you.

2. Protect thy device with a password. Should your device be taken, this makes it harder for identity thieves to access your information.

3. Trust not in open Wi Fi networks. When you use them to connect to your favorite websites, it’s easy for others to eavesdrop electronically.

4. Thou shalt not store sensitive information on a cell phone. Passwords, log-ins, account numbers, Social Security numbers and the like should be written on paper and locked away safely.

5. Thou shalt not text sensitive information from a cell phone. Texts remain logged in your phone long after you’ve forgotten sending them. Hackers and thieves can access them easily.

6. Thou shalt use only one card for shopping by mobile. That way, if it’s compromised, you only have one account to clean up.

7. Thou shalt never provide sensitive information to any company that requests it by text or email, for this is called “phishing” and it is an abomination. Respectable companies NEVER request sensitive information in such fashion.

8. Thou shalt only download banking, tax-prep, and financial apps from reputable companies. Be diligent and research the ratings and comments they’ve received from other users.

9. Thou shalt invest in a security application that “shreds” the information on thy phone remotely. This is valuable in case of theft, but it’s also good to strip your cell phone of all information when you upgrade it or move on to a different device.

10. Thou shalt check thy accounts regularly. Keep an eye on your banking and checking accounts, to make sure no one has made transactions without your knowledge, whether by using your phone or another source of information.

Jorge Alberti talks about his life and his villainous role in the new telenovela La Otra Cara del Alma.

In La Otra Cara del Alma, love and revenge are the usual fare, as the main character, Alma, played by veteran actress Gaby Spanic, will stop at nothing for money. Armando, Jorge’s character, becomes embroiled in her schemes. “In the story, my character is going to make a total 180 because of jealousy and I am going to turn evil.” All this drama and passion has led to sizzling on-screen chemistry. “The love scenes with Gaby are almost violent.  Since we are friends and we get along, the scenes were able to go smoothly.” Alberti, who has a daughter and has been married to wife Katia for three years, leaves all the drama on the screen. “He is completely different from me. Life has shown me that jealousy is harmful. Sometimes jealousy comes from insecurity, and I am a person who is secure in who I am.”

Along with his go-getter attitude is a positive and open side which he owes to his roots. “I try to always be happy and grateful at the same time. I think it has to do with my upbringing, my family, and the values I grew up with. I also think that we Puerto Ricans are very friendly,” he says with a smile.

Alberti at the age of 19 moved to Florida to study and pursue acting. His break came with small parts in hit telenovelas like Gata Salvaje and Angel Rebelde. In all, he has been in nine telenovelas, playing the lead role in five of them. Alberti also has gone Hollywood with a small part in Che directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Benicio del Torro, as well as a three year stint as Roberto in the soap opera Passions. “Everything that I have done throughout my career I have done on my own. I’ve never had it easy where someone says to me ‘hey, I’m a producer and I can get you in this telenovela.’ I’ve had to put my sweat into everything and I think it’s made me a stronger person.”

La Otra Cara del Alma
Monday – Friday at  8:30pm/7:30c

As a little girl in Venezuela, Gaby Acuña would turn on the TV and watch Show Business to get the latest news on her favorite celebrities. Today, Gaby, along with Omar Nassar and Gabriel Fernández, are hosting this same fun-filled program that has been around for 20 years. “I never imagined that I would work for such an iconic show,” she says. The show, now called Show Business Extra, is offering more of what fans like. “It’s unique because it’s not just about Latin entertainment. It features US celebrities, too.” After interviewing stars like Carlos Vives and Daddy Yankee, this new change in format gave Gaby her most anticipated interview, with her ultimate teen celebrity crush. “My sister and I sat every evening to watch the series Beverly Hills 90210. So imagine when the producer said, ‘We have Jason Priestley, “Brandon” from Beverly Hills 90210.’
I called my sister and she said, ‘I cannot believe you’re with Brandon!’” she chuckles.

Gaby’s future goal is to keep doing what she loves best.
“I am so grateful for what I do and that I have the opportunity to bring all these moments with these artists to their fans. It really does mean a lot to me.”

Show Business Extra
Monday – Friday at 7pm/6c | 11pm/10c

Mario López talks about his show Mario López: One on One on nuvoTV, his busy career and the loves of his life.

Tell me about your latest show, Mario López: One on One on nuvoTV?

It’s like a Latino Barbara Walters, or Charlie Rose, but I’m in the position of doing interviews that focus on Latino talent in different arenas, whether it’s the entertainment industry or sports. It’s just an intimate conversation, and showcases these wonderful Latinos in our society.

Is there one particular person that you would love to have on your show?

There are a lot of people that I’d love to have on my show. I’d love to start getting more political figures, like Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Marco Rubio, and other people who are really making a difference and have a significant footprint politically.

You wear a lot of different hats. Are you trying to create an empire, make yourself into a brand?

Yes, I think it’s all about branding, and I think all the different platforms from my own entertainment show, nationally syndicated radio show, being the host of the X Factor, being an author, being on Broadway, doing something in the Latin market now, it’s a lot of different stuff. So it’s all within the brand, which is being family-friendly, All-American but with a Latino flavor.

How do you keep it all going? 

I just do. I don’t sleep much, and it’s a long day. I’m hyper and I work hard.

You began your career in ’84 with the series a.k.a. Pablo. Has it changed for Latinos in Hollywood?

There have been minor, incremental changes. We’ve sort of exploded on the scene geographically and numbers wise, but obviously we’re still very underrepresented. But we’ve made strides and there are a lot of great examples of that. It’s still a little slow, but moving in the right direction. I am happy to be a part of it.

How do you maintain your work and life balance especially being a dad and husband?

I get up every morning early and I always have breakfast with my family…my little girl, Gia. For the most part, I’m pretty much home for dinner every night, and if I go out of town and it’s a quick trip then I go by myself. If it’s going to be longer then I’ll just take my family. But other than that, I’m pretty much home.

How do you keep the romance alive with your wife Courtney Mazza?

We have our date nights and make sure we have our time one-on-one. We get along great and she’s super cool, so I think you’ve got to carve out that time and make it a priority and things work out right.

What do you consider the secret of your success?

I feel very blessed and appreciated for all that I’ve done. I know I try to build spiritual muscle and feel I owe a lot to God and his plan, and great parents, and hard work, and just being resilient.

Go to mynuvotv.com for Mario López: One on One premiere and encore air schedule

The latest pop sensation, Gretchen Serrao, debuts with her album Mírame.

Gretchen Serrao, the latest sensation to hit the airwaves, considers herself a 360 degree artist. She’s a singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. “These careers go hand in hand, and if you are organized, you can do it all.” For now, her main focus is music and the launch of her new pop album, Mírame. When Gretchen, who wrote half of the 13 songs on the CD, puts pen to paper, she is inspired by words from her abuelito. “He always said I have to write what people feel. With that in mind, I use my own experiences mixed with life situations so that people can identify with me.” This is the case with her first single “La Salida” written by Gretchen and her producer Adrián Posse. “It represents immigrants like me who cannot be with their loved ones and have to be separated by war, religion, whatever the cause. The message of the song is to move beyond your sad feelings and stay with the nice feelings you will never forget.”

Today her main goal is to keep doing what she loves. “Music is the driving force of my life. When I’m on stage and I bring my music to the hearts of my fans I am infinitely satisfied and complete.”

Gregorio Pernia talks about his new role in the narconovela Los 3 Caínes.

Los 3 Caínes is the latest narconovela from MundoFox that tells the story of Colombia’s most feared criminal family, the Castaño brothers, Fidel, Carlos and Vicente. They vow vengeance when their father is killed by guerrillas, and create an army financed by landowners, politicians, military and drug traffickers so they can kill the guerrillas and terrorize the nation. “It is a reality that our country has lived with for more than 50 years,” says Gregorio Pernia who plays Fidel “El Rambo” Castaño. “El Rambo”, the oldest of the three brothers, was the founder of the organization. “He was a warrior and was fascinated by killing,” says Gregorio.

To play this part, Gregorio drew from his own personal experience. “My truck was stopped while traveling in Balsillas, Colombia. Apparently someone wanted to talk to me. I said, ‘no, I don’t want to get off’ and they said ‘you have to.’ In the end, I spent nearly two hours with Commander Rodrigo Cadena. He was truly a contradiction, because he talked about murder and then about building a church. It was the mind of a twisted human being.”

As difficult as life has been in Colombia, Gregorio loves his country. “Even though we have experienced anxiety in this country, Colombia isn’t synonymous with just cocaine and war. This country has many beautiful things too.”

Los 3 Caínes
Monday – Friday at 9pm/8c

Chef Aquiles Chávez from the show Motochefs helps you celebrate!

Like many generous people, Mexican chef Aquiles Chávez looks like a happy man…and a grateful one.  “Sometimes I feel life has given me too much, no? That’s when I try to make sure I also give back to life.”

Chávez is one of the personable hosts of the Utilísima show Motochefs. He speaks of his colleagues in the kitchen with respect and affection. “Cooks have something very special, very sensitive in our DNA. The business of cooking requires us to offer, to share with two full hands. It’s a business in which we give everything of the highest quality, the best service, the best attitude, always giving, giving, giving…and because of this generosity we’re always teaching, and paying forward what we’ve been given.”

In Motochefs, Chávez shares his expertise at the side of his friend and colleague Aarón Sánchez, as they ride motorcycles together while traveling from Texas to Mexico City. “It’s such fun! The trip is about cooking, adventure, encounters, discoveries, and above all, about two friends who, in the end, conquer all like the good cooks they are. Having traveled for 45 days with Aarón, I grew a lot. I learned a lot…”

Would he repeat the experience? “If they asked me, ‘Aquiles, would you do it all over?’ Of course I would! My coat and helmet are already on, just tell me where to go.”

Enjoying his latest adventures in the US, Achiles has adopted new traditions. “In Mexico you don’t really celebrate Cinco de Mayo but that doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge this day. We celebrate it with festive and traditional Mexican dishes.” For the time being, Chávez is back at home, where he’s the one who cooks for his wife and three children, Regina, Valentina, and Aquiles. “Why do I cook? I think, and I’m convinced that cooking is an act of love, so it’s the way I can express my affection for my family. It’s a way of spoiling them, of taking care of them. In the end, many of our good memories about growing up are centered on food, right?

And that’s why Aquiles Chávez keeps giving…and giving…and giving.

Motochefs
Mondays at 10pm/9c

Download recipe courtesy of Aquiles Chávez

Tabasco wings

A few days before the third season debut of Utilísima’s big hit, Luz en Casa, its lovely star, Luz Blanchet, shared her enthusiasm about the show.

“To start with, it’s terrific that we’re getting a third season of Luz en Casa, right? My dream is that it goes on much longer…that people keep liking it, asking for it, and that it keeps being useful, since we want Luz en Casa to change lives, not just homes.”

Will the show change? “There are some beautiful things ahead,” Luz says. “Obviously we’ll keep the two main elements, wall décor and gardening. But there are some interesting twists ahead too.”

For example, this year, Luz will present viewers’ photographs that show how they used the show’s ideas at home, proving that “…the show is really useful,” says Luz. “The principal objective and aim of Luz en Casa is to beautify your home and spaces, on a low budget, easily. We’re always careful that the finished product doesn’t look cheap, but stylish.”

Luz lives with her three children, Aytana, Lander and Lorea. She feels great affection for families that watch her show together. “Moms watch with their children, couples watch. Many men watch the show, and I love that.”

Luz en Casa
Monday – Friday at  9am/8c

To see more episodes, visit http://www.mun2.tv/shows/fugitivos-de-la-ley-los-angeles

A team of bounty hunters brings their adrenalin-fueled reality to TV.

Shoot-outs, take-downs and apprehending the dregs of society is all in a day’s work for the bounty hunter crew  of the hit reality show Fugitivos de la Ley: Los Ángeles on mun2. “I get to show everyone how they go out in the world to get bad people off the streets,” says Nuyorican Executive Producer Lou Pizarro.

Monique Covarrubias, the only female in the group, agrees. “If there weren’t people like us, do you know how many criminals would be out on the street? The cops don’t have time to go after all of these fugitives so that’s where we come in.”

This apprehension team of five also has their “heavy” in Román Morales, a 6’3” former bodybuilder and U.S. Marine. As part of his arsenal, he has a secret tactic he calls the boulder move. “I’m about as big and round as a boulder and when I get moving you’re not going to stop me.”

Fans should expect lots of drama and a closer look into the team dynamic—all with that authentic Los Angeles flavor. “It’s a Spanglish reality show and that’s what LA is about. It’s not pretend. It’s the real nitty-gritty,” concludes Pizarro.

Fugitivos de La Ley: Los Ángeles
Sundays at 8pm/7c

Get connected to everything sports with #Redes.

During  the 1986 World Cup, a young  Barak Fever couldn’t take his eyes off the game and decided then and there that sports was going to be his future. “I was 4 years old and I remember watching that game and I was hooked. It’s hard to explain but it was just for me.” He played soccer throughout his youth as goalie, a position he hated playing and still does today, until at age 13 he had another revelation. “I wasn’t going to make any money playing soccer so I decided to channel my passion to covering sports.” With that conviction in mind, he started his career at 14 as a writer for a Mexican soccer magazine and at 16 he was working for Televisión Azteca.

Now, years later, Fever is co-host of ESPN Deportes’ #Redes the first, live, multi-screen viewing experience that delivers a light and entertaining mix of sports, pop culture, news and music. “It’s a show that involves social networks where people can express themselves in real time,” says Barak Fever, who hosts along with Carolina Guillén and Alfredo Lomei.  Tweets, Facebook posts, YouTube videos and photos are all used to make segments like “#EnREDados”, a mash-up of the funniest sports video submitted by fans or “Say What?” where the hosts give rapid-fire responses to viewers’ questions and comments. The chemistry between Fever and hosts Guillén and Lomei also makes for engaging and dynamic television. “Throughout the show we have live opinions from viewers and we either agree or debate their viewpoint.”  Out of the three, Fever admits that he is more the naysayer of the group. “I give my opinion, I criticize and I especially like to complain—and there is a lot to complain about.”  Luckily that’s not the case with his career and his move from sunny Mexico to—at times frigid—Connecticut, where ESPN headquarters are located. “Complaints? Not a one, so you see I am not such a Grinch after all.”

#Redes
Monday – Friday at 8pm/7c