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Taking Amber Alerts to the Next Level; Crime-Shoppers?

Aired May 17, 2005 - 13:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Sparks fly on Capitol Hill as British parliament member George Galloway testified before a Senate committee in the ongoing Oil-for-Food probe. In no uncertain terms, Galloway rejects any speculation he profited from the scandal-plagued program, saying he never bought or sold a drop of oil. Committee chairman Norm Coleman has been on the receiving end of some of Galloway's most scornful remarks.
Different week, same story. This time, an Alitalia flight en route from Milan to Boston is diverted to Bangor, Maine. It landed about a half hour ago. The plane was rerouted after a name on the passenger manifest turned up on Homeland Security's no-fly list. We're following this developing story. We'll bring you the latest news as it happens.

And it's a hot hybrid, leaving some owners cold. Well, Toyota is investigating gripes that the Prius has been stalling on some drivers. Nearly 90,000 Prius cars has been sold in the U.S. They're prized by alternative energy fans because they switch between gas and electric motors to save on fuel. So far, no recall and no official government investigation.

We all know their name, Adam Walsh, Samantha Runnion, Jessica Lunsford, and we all know the horrific outcomes of too many child abductions. Statistics show that the first three hour after a kidnapping offer, the best chance of recovering a child alive, and now a new plan to mobilize more people faster.

CNN's Kimberly Osias, taking Amber Alerts to the next level.

Hi, Kim.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Well, you're exactly right, those first couple hours are, in fact, critical, and now they're hoping to mobilize the public. The public can get involved in solving crimes, crimes of missing children, and help may be as easy as keeping your eyes open and those cell phones closed. About a dozen wireless carriers are partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to get key descriptive information to people in the areas that could make a difference.

The way it works is pretty simple. It takes about a minute to complete. What you do is log on to www.wirelessamberalerts.org, then you'll enter a secure Web site. That's where you'll input the cell numbers where you want to receive alerts and the zip codes where you spend the most amount of time. So, for example, if you travel from Florida to Georgia, you can enter the zip codes along your route. Information about the abductor and the victim will then be relayed in minutes, and that's what's critical in these missing children cases. Because of course, as we talked about, time is really the enemy here. Statistics show that those first three hours are key in finding a missing child.

Experts say there won't be information overload with this system because it will be geographically specific.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERNIE ALLEN, MISSING CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE: This is not something that cell phone users are going to see every 10 minutes. These activations are going to be rare, but when they happen, we're going to send a message to the American public that they can help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: You can also register for the program through your wireless cell phone carrier's own Web site. So far, about a dozen are involved in the program. More are expected to sign up. So, for example, you can log on to Sprint, Verizon or Nextel and get registered to be on the lookout. Then those text messages, the alerts will actually appear on your cell phone screen or blackberry-type screen, just like this one right here. You'll get that very pertinent information with information like license plate numbers, automobile descriptions, and any other pertinent information about the abductor and the child, so hopefully more children will get back home safely -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, you can sign up at that Web site right down on the screen.

Kimberly Osias, thanks so much.

And a double Amber Alert tops of our news across America right now. Idaho authorities are searching for two missing children. The alert went out after three people were found dead in what police are calling a triple homicide. Eight-year-old Shasta Groney (ph) and her 9-year-old brother, Dillon (ph), live at the home where the bodies were found. Police believe the children's mother and teenaged brother are among the victims.

In Los Angeles, voters going to the polls to choose the next mayor. James Hahn, the incumbent, says he's encouraged by the high turnout at his precinct in San Pedro (ph), and challenger Antonio Villaraigosa vowed to continue stumping until the very end. He made numerous campaign stops across the city overnight.

And in New York this painting doesn't look like the kind of item you could boost and get away with. But a Staten Island trucker allegedly tried to do just that. Prosecutors say that Anthony Porcelli (ph) swiped the painting worth $1.5 million from a cargo warehouse at Kennedy Airport. A keen-eyed shipper noticed it was missing and called the cops. From crime stopping to crime shopping. After burglaries cleaned out Karen Todd's home, she was inspired to do a little sleuthing online.

Reporter Karen Myers from our affiliate WTTG has more on how you really can find everything on eBay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAREN MYERS, WTTG REPORTER (voice-over): John Hiatt's song, "Have a Little Faith" connects with Karen Todd and her husband. Karen had those very lyrics inscribed on an iPod she gave her husband for Christmas. The words hold special meaning.

KAREN TODD, AMATEUR DETECTIVE: You'll be there for the other person. You know, when your back's against the wall, I'll be there.

MYERS: One day last month, while the couple was at work, a burglar broke into their house, smashing the sliding glass down door in the kitchen.

TODD: There was a patio stone sitting over here on the floor, broken glass all over the floor.

MYERS: The burglar stole a laptop computer, digital camera, a ring inherited from her grandmother and the sentimental iPod.

TODD: Apple quit making that particular model, and so I couldn't order it from Apple again and have it inscribed again. So that was a little disappointing.

MYERS: Karen, trying to think like the burglar, jumped on the Internet auction site eBay.

TODD: 5769.

MYERS: Hoping to find the stolen goods.

TODD: I was surfing, and I was just shocked. It's like, it's mine! It's mine! I couldn't believe it was there.

MYERS: The inscription in plain view. She called police, who traced it to this shop, J&K Sports Cards in Beltsville. The owner says he bought it from 21-year-old Ibrahima Toure (ph), who police tracked down and arrested, all because the detective work of this wife, mother, government worker, and now supersleuth.

TODD: All of those Spencer books paid off.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well move over Nancy Drew, that was Karen Myers reporting for WTTG.

Well, her life was taken on September 11th, but her legacy lives on, through a book and through her two surviving sisters. The amazing story behind the new book "You Can Do It" is up next.

Also, saving yourself from a scam: The criminals are getting smarter, and so should you. Find out how to protect yourself from being a victim of ATM ripoffs. That's later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, get busy living or get busy dying. Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas took that line from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" as her life's slogan and she embodied it. Here, she's celebrating her 30th birthday by jumping out of an airplane. Even though she pursued a career in marketing and was a certified medical technician, Lauren never let her to-do list take away from her want- to-do list. Well, Lauren's life was cut short on September 11th, 2001. She was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

But her desire to help other people fulfill their dreams lives on in a book that she started one year before her death. It's called "You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls." Well, Lauren's sisters join me. Vaughn Lohec is in our Dallas bureau and Dara Near is in New York. They actually finished the book for their sister. Great to have you guys with us.

VAUGHN LOHEC, LAUREN GRANDCOLAS' SISTER: Thank you for having us.

DARA NEAR, LAUREN GRANDCOLAS' SISTER: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's start just by talking about your sister. I want both of you to chime in on this. Vaughn, let's start with you. Tell us about Lauren and why she started writing this book and -- she was such a thrill-seeker. She just -- it was amazing how she just lived out her life and took note and created this book.

LOHEC: Yes, you're exactly right. And Lauren truly did live this way, so it came very natural to her to come up with this idea. She was very much a go-getter. She skydived, as you can see, scuba- dived, you know, did a lot -- really took on life's challenges and life's fears and had a lot of fun. And the idea to do this book came naturally to her, because she encouraged other women to do the same thing.

PHILLIPS: So, Dara, tell me how the two of you decided to finish this book. I mean, what was there and how did you get it all together -- I mean, it's amazing. It looks like your sister wrote it and finished it.

NEAR: She did. She had quit her job a couple of weeks before we lost her on September 11 to work on this book with a partner. And she had the table of contents done. They had a proposal to go a publisher. She had written one of the badge chapters. And I think that, frankly, what we felt was that this would be a testimonial to Lauren, to do this in her memory. It was so important to her. She was so excited about it. And we felt that we really just had to get it done and see it through. PHILLIPS: All right. So let's talk about the book. Obviously, Lauren did so many incredible things before 9/11. One thing she always wanted to do was skydive. So this, of course, is a chapter in the book. You talk about all these incredible things you should do in your life and then it has the payoff. So for her, skydiving said -- the payoffs were thrilling, challenging, fear-conquering, special. Explain how you earn each badge.

LOHEC: Well, you're exactly right. The book consists of 60 badge activities, ranging from the most adventurous, like skydiving or fire walking, to the more practical, like budgeting or getting your finances in order. And each badge...

PHILLIPS: Fire walking isn't normal, Vaughn? That's not a, you know, typical thing to do?

LOHEC: Well, I can tell you this. I can tell you this, that if Lauren were here today that would probably be the first badge she would work on. I can tell you this. And then each badge is formatted in a very easy, user-friendly format, with easy-to-follow steps, you know, presenting the payoffs, as you said, showing you exactly how to work towards your goal and earn your badge.

PHILLIPS: All right, of course, there are more simple -- maybe not so simple, though, for Dara. You're working on the cooking badge. Tell me why you're wanting to work on that and what are the payoffs there?

NEAR: Well, it's funny, because I guess I was thinking I've been doing more physical badges. I've just recently done the skiing badge and been doing some hiking. And I think that -- I wanted to do something that wasn't quite as physical. And I know my husband will be really delighted that I'm going to be doing the cooking badge.

PHILLIPS: Vaughn, I know -- or, you finished public speaking. That's definitely obvious, because you're doing so well on television. But you're saying that surfing -- the surfing badge is next. What's the payoff for that?

LOHEC: You know, I just -- I don't know what it is. Surfing has just been something that -- you know, as I kind of looked at the badges, it just jumped out at me. And with summertime, you know, approaching, I just thought it might be fun. I'm going to beach this summer with some friends. And I thought I might try to carve out some time and get my surfing badge. It just sounds like a fun thing to do.

PHILLIPS: Dara, what do you want folks to take away from this book? What's the most important mission here? Is it -- is it -- in addition to honoring your sister -- you want people to know about your sister, of course, but how do you want her legacy to sort of live on in the lives of everybody else that's reading this book and trying to earn these badges?

NEAR: Right, no, good question. I think the thing about Lauren was that she lived her life this way, but she also wanted her friends to get the same sense of accomplishment and feel good about themselves by virtue of doing some of these, maybe stretching themselves a little bit, challenging themselves. And a lot of these badges are about challenging yourself, doing something you wouldn't normally do. And I think that -- if Lauren were here, she would be delighted to know that other women are getting together even in groups, and doing some of these badges and feeling basically good about themselves and enjoying life.

PHILLIPS: Vaughn, tell us about the foundation and how you're donating money to the foundation from this book and what the foundation does.

LOHEC: Yes, the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation, proceeds from "You Can Do It" will go directly into her foundation, where we contribute funds to mainly organizations that we feel Lauren would have supported. We've already contributed thousands of dollars to various organizations around the country. And we -- our hope is to be able to continue to do that in her honor and in her memory.

PHILLIPS: This definitely takes Girl Scouts to a whole new level, doesn't it? I guess we can always be a Girl Scout if we continue on with this book.

LOHEC: Exactly, exactly.

PHILLIPS: All right, Vaughn and Dara, thank you so much. Once again, the book is "You Can Do It: Dare to Dream, Learn Something New, and Do Something Just For You." It's a great book. Thank you, ladies, so much.

LOHEC: Thank you.

NEAR: Thank you so much.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

Well, a check of the markets is just ahead. And, Susan, Sony's about to release a new Playstation, right?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kyra. Gamer alert. Sony has unveiled its new Playstation and it's likely to start a battle among the gamemakers. I'll have that story next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, regrets, but no apology from Mexican President Vicente Fox, following a fire storm over his controversial comment. In a Friday speech, Fox said the Mexicans working in the U.S. are willing to take jobs, quoting here, "even blacks won't do." Late yesterday, Fox called civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, telling each one that he regrets any hurt feelings his statements might have caused.

Today a Fox spokesman said that there will be no public apology. He says, quote, "The point is closed." Well, you may have been robbed the last time you went to the ATM and not even know it. This kind of stick-up doesn't require a gun or knife, just a little twisted ingenuity.

CNN's Dan Lothian with more on a scheme that gives new meaning to the term swipe.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Bank ATMs, a convenient way to get cash and, increasingly, a convenient way to steal it.

DET. STEVEN BLAIR, BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: This is identity theft at its max. They get your personal information, and they steal all your money out of your bank accounts.

LOTHIAN: In Boston this woman says she lost $1,900 from her bank account.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt like my privacy was definitely threatened.

LOTHIAN: The suspect in her case was caught on surveillance tape and last week caught by police. Thirty-five-year-old Juan Gardicia (ph) is accused of using a high-tech scheme to target more than 400 ATM users in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, allegedly stealing at least $400,000 over the past two years, charges that he denies.

But in three easy steps, investigators say, Gardicia (ph) and others cashed in. Step number one: Police say they would mount this fake swiping box on the door of a bank's ATM machine area, which would be rigged to stay open.

BLAIR: It's a recording device that records credit card numbers.

LOTHIAN: Step number two: A small hidden camera was allegedly installed near the key pad and linked to a nearby laptop computer.

BLAIR: When a person was putting their password into the ATM machine, they were able to capture it.

LOTHIAN: And step number three: Police say blank credit cards were imprinted with the customer information that, when combined with PIN numbers, were ready to use.

While non-bank ATMs have long been targeted by criminals, this type of crime has only recent hit ATM customers nationwide in cities like Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami.

LARRY JOHNSON, SECRET SERVICE: I think initially we saw big cities that were hit the hardest. But now, it can be anywhere USA.

LOTHIAN: The Secret Service is actively pursuing ATM criminals, who are getting smarter.

JOHNSON: We try to stay a step ahead of technology.

LOTHIAN (on camera): Experts say a little common sense could help prevent some of these crimes. For example, always hide your PIN number as you enter it. Check for unusual signs or devices. If it doesn't feel right, leave. And finally, check your statements to make sure you're the only one using your account.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: All right, coming up in the second hour of LIVE FROM, it was her first call as a 911 dispatcher and one of the biggest tests of her life. This remarkable story of how she saved the life of a dying newborn. LIVE FROM's hour of power begins right after this.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 17, 2005 - 13:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Sparks fly on Capitol Hill as British parliament member George Galloway testified before a Senate committee in the ongoing Oil-for-Food probe. In no uncertain terms, Galloway rejects any speculation he profited from the scandal-plagued program, saying he never bought or sold a drop of oil. Committee chairman Norm Coleman has been on the receiving end of some of Galloway's most scornful remarks.
Different week, same story. This time, an Alitalia flight en route from Milan to Boston is diverted to Bangor, Maine. It landed about a half hour ago. The plane was rerouted after a name on the passenger manifest turned up on Homeland Security's no-fly list. We're following this developing story. We'll bring you the latest news as it happens.

And it's a hot hybrid, leaving some owners cold. Well, Toyota is investigating gripes that the Prius has been stalling on some drivers. Nearly 90,000 Prius cars has been sold in the U.S. They're prized by alternative energy fans because they switch between gas and electric motors to save on fuel. So far, no recall and no official government investigation.

We all know their name, Adam Walsh, Samantha Runnion, Jessica Lunsford, and we all know the horrific outcomes of too many child abductions. Statistics show that the first three hour after a kidnapping offer, the best chance of recovering a child alive, and now a new plan to mobilize more people faster.

CNN's Kimberly Osias, taking Amber Alerts to the next level.

Hi, Kim.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Well, you're exactly right, those first couple hours are, in fact, critical, and now they're hoping to mobilize the public. The public can get involved in solving crimes, crimes of missing children, and help may be as easy as keeping your eyes open and those cell phones closed. About a dozen wireless carriers are partnering with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to get key descriptive information to people in the areas that could make a difference.

The way it works is pretty simple. It takes about a minute to complete. What you do is log on to www.wirelessamberalerts.org, then you'll enter a secure Web site. That's where you'll input the cell numbers where you want to receive alerts and the zip codes where you spend the most amount of time. So, for example, if you travel from Florida to Georgia, you can enter the zip codes along your route. Information about the abductor and the victim will then be relayed in minutes, and that's what's critical in these missing children cases. Because of course, as we talked about, time is really the enemy here. Statistics show that those first three hours are key in finding a missing child.

Experts say there won't be information overload with this system because it will be geographically specific.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERNIE ALLEN, MISSING CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE: This is not something that cell phone users are going to see every 10 minutes. These activations are going to be rare, but when they happen, we're going to send a message to the American public that they can help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OSIAS: You can also register for the program through your wireless cell phone carrier's own Web site. So far, about a dozen are involved in the program. More are expected to sign up. So, for example, you can log on to Sprint, Verizon or Nextel and get registered to be on the lookout. Then those text messages, the alerts will actually appear on your cell phone screen or blackberry-type screen, just like this one right here. You'll get that very pertinent information with information like license plate numbers, automobile descriptions, and any other pertinent information about the abductor and the child, so hopefully more children will get back home safely -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, you can sign up at that Web site right down on the screen.

Kimberly Osias, thanks so much.

And a double Amber Alert tops of our news across America right now. Idaho authorities are searching for two missing children. The alert went out after three people were found dead in what police are calling a triple homicide. Eight-year-old Shasta Groney (ph) and her 9-year-old brother, Dillon (ph), live at the home where the bodies were found. Police believe the children's mother and teenaged brother are among the victims.

In Los Angeles, voters going to the polls to choose the next mayor. James Hahn, the incumbent, says he's encouraged by the high turnout at his precinct in San Pedro (ph), and challenger Antonio Villaraigosa vowed to continue stumping until the very end. He made numerous campaign stops across the city overnight.

And in New York this painting doesn't look like the kind of item you could boost and get away with. But a Staten Island trucker allegedly tried to do just that. Prosecutors say that Anthony Porcelli (ph) swiped the painting worth $1.5 million from a cargo warehouse at Kennedy Airport. A keen-eyed shipper noticed it was missing and called the cops. From crime stopping to crime shopping. After burglaries cleaned out Karen Todd's home, she was inspired to do a little sleuthing online.

Reporter Karen Myers from our affiliate WTTG has more on how you really can find everything on eBay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAREN MYERS, WTTG REPORTER (voice-over): John Hiatt's song, "Have a Little Faith" connects with Karen Todd and her husband. Karen had those very lyrics inscribed on an iPod she gave her husband for Christmas. The words hold special meaning.

KAREN TODD, AMATEUR DETECTIVE: You'll be there for the other person. You know, when your back's against the wall, I'll be there.

MYERS: One day last month, while the couple was at work, a burglar broke into their house, smashing the sliding glass down door in the kitchen.

TODD: There was a patio stone sitting over here on the floor, broken glass all over the floor.

MYERS: The burglar stole a laptop computer, digital camera, a ring inherited from her grandmother and the sentimental iPod.

TODD: Apple quit making that particular model, and so I couldn't order it from Apple again and have it inscribed again. So that was a little disappointing.

MYERS: Karen, trying to think like the burglar, jumped on the Internet auction site eBay.

TODD: 5769.

MYERS: Hoping to find the stolen goods.

TODD: I was surfing, and I was just shocked. It's like, it's mine! It's mine! I couldn't believe it was there.

MYERS: The inscription in plain view. She called police, who traced it to this shop, J&K Sports Cards in Beltsville. The owner says he bought it from 21-year-old Ibrahima Toure (ph), who police tracked down and arrested, all because the detective work of this wife, mother, government worker, and now supersleuth.

TODD: All of those Spencer books paid off.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well move over Nancy Drew, that was Karen Myers reporting for WTTG.

Well, her life was taken on September 11th, but her legacy lives on, through a book and through her two surviving sisters. The amazing story behind the new book "You Can Do It" is up next.

Also, saving yourself from a scam: The criminals are getting smarter, and so should you. Find out how to protect yourself from being a victim of ATM ripoffs. That's later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, get busy living or get busy dying. Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas took that line from the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" as her life's slogan and she embodied it. Here, she's celebrating her 30th birthday by jumping out of an airplane. Even though she pursued a career in marketing and was a certified medical technician, Lauren never let her to-do list take away from her want- to-do list. Well, Lauren's life was cut short on September 11th, 2001. She was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed into a Pennsylvania field.

But her desire to help other people fulfill their dreams lives on in a book that she started one year before her death. It's called "You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls." Well, Lauren's sisters join me. Vaughn Lohec is in our Dallas bureau and Dara Near is in New York. They actually finished the book for their sister. Great to have you guys with us.

VAUGHN LOHEC, LAUREN GRANDCOLAS' SISTER: Thank you for having us.

DARA NEAR, LAUREN GRANDCOLAS' SISTER: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, let's start just by talking about your sister. I want both of you to chime in on this. Vaughn, let's start with you. Tell us about Lauren and why she started writing this book and -- she was such a thrill-seeker. She just -- it was amazing how she just lived out her life and took note and created this book.

LOHEC: Yes, you're exactly right. And Lauren truly did live this way, so it came very natural to her to come up with this idea. She was very much a go-getter. She skydived, as you can see, scuba- dived, you know, did a lot -- really took on life's challenges and life's fears and had a lot of fun. And the idea to do this book came naturally to her, because she encouraged other women to do the same thing.

PHILLIPS: So, Dara, tell me how the two of you decided to finish this book. I mean, what was there and how did you get it all together -- I mean, it's amazing. It looks like your sister wrote it and finished it.

NEAR: She did. She had quit her job a couple of weeks before we lost her on September 11 to work on this book with a partner. And she had the table of contents done. They had a proposal to go a publisher. She had written one of the badge chapters. And I think that, frankly, what we felt was that this would be a testimonial to Lauren, to do this in her memory. It was so important to her. She was so excited about it. And we felt that we really just had to get it done and see it through. PHILLIPS: All right. So let's talk about the book. Obviously, Lauren did so many incredible things before 9/11. One thing she always wanted to do was skydive. So this, of course, is a chapter in the book. You talk about all these incredible things you should do in your life and then it has the payoff. So for her, skydiving said -- the payoffs were thrilling, challenging, fear-conquering, special. Explain how you earn each badge.

LOHEC: Well, you're exactly right. The book consists of 60 badge activities, ranging from the most adventurous, like skydiving or fire walking, to the more practical, like budgeting or getting your finances in order. And each badge...

PHILLIPS: Fire walking isn't normal, Vaughn? That's not a, you know, typical thing to do?

LOHEC: Well, I can tell you this. I can tell you this, that if Lauren were here today that would probably be the first badge she would work on. I can tell you this. And then each badge is formatted in a very easy, user-friendly format, with easy-to-follow steps, you know, presenting the payoffs, as you said, showing you exactly how to work towards your goal and earn your badge.

PHILLIPS: All right, of course, there are more simple -- maybe not so simple, though, for Dara. You're working on the cooking badge. Tell me why you're wanting to work on that and what are the payoffs there?

NEAR: Well, it's funny, because I guess I was thinking I've been doing more physical badges. I've just recently done the skiing badge and been doing some hiking. And I think that -- I wanted to do something that wasn't quite as physical. And I know my husband will be really delighted that I'm going to be doing the cooking badge.

PHILLIPS: Vaughn, I know -- or, you finished public speaking. That's definitely obvious, because you're doing so well on television. But you're saying that surfing -- the surfing badge is next. What's the payoff for that?

LOHEC: You know, I just -- I don't know what it is. Surfing has just been something that -- you know, as I kind of looked at the badges, it just jumped out at me. And with summertime, you know, approaching, I just thought it might be fun. I'm going to beach this summer with some friends. And I thought I might try to carve out some time and get my surfing badge. It just sounds like a fun thing to do.

PHILLIPS: Dara, what do you want folks to take away from this book? What's the most important mission here? Is it -- is it -- in addition to honoring your sister -- you want people to know about your sister, of course, but how do you want her legacy to sort of live on in the lives of everybody else that's reading this book and trying to earn these badges?

NEAR: Right, no, good question. I think the thing about Lauren was that she lived her life this way, but she also wanted her friends to get the same sense of accomplishment and feel good about themselves by virtue of doing some of these, maybe stretching themselves a little bit, challenging themselves. And a lot of these badges are about challenging yourself, doing something you wouldn't normally do. And I think that -- if Lauren were here, she would be delighted to know that other women are getting together even in groups, and doing some of these badges and feeling basically good about themselves and enjoying life.

PHILLIPS: Vaughn, tell us about the foundation and how you're donating money to the foundation from this book and what the foundation does.

LOHEC: Yes, the Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas Foundation, proceeds from "You Can Do It" will go directly into her foundation, where we contribute funds to mainly organizations that we feel Lauren would have supported. We've already contributed thousands of dollars to various organizations around the country. And we -- our hope is to be able to continue to do that in her honor and in her memory.

PHILLIPS: This definitely takes Girl Scouts to a whole new level, doesn't it? I guess we can always be a Girl Scout if we continue on with this book.

LOHEC: Exactly, exactly.

PHILLIPS: All right, Vaughn and Dara, thank you so much. Once again, the book is "You Can Do It: Dare to Dream, Learn Something New, and Do Something Just For You." It's a great book. Thank you, ladies, so much.

LOHEC: Thank you.

NEAR: Thank you so much.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

Well, a check of the markets is just ahead. And, Susan, Sony's about to release a new Playstation, right?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kyra. Gamer alert. Sony has unveiled its new Playstation and it's likely to start a battle among the gamemakers. I'll have that story next on LIVE FROM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, regrets, but no apology from Mexican President Vicente Fox, following a fire storm over his controversial comment. In a Friday speech, Fox said the Mexicans working in the U.S. are willing to take jobs, quoting here, "even blacks won't do." Late yesterday, Fox called civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, telling each one that he regrets any hurt feelings his statements might have caused.

Today a Fox spokesman said that there will be no public apology. He says, quote, "The point is closed." Well, you may have been robbed the last time you went to the ATM and not even know it. This kind of stick-up doesn't require a gun or knife, just a little twisted ingenuity.

CNN's Dan Lothian with more on a scheme that gives new meaning to the term swipe.

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DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Bank ATMs, a convenient way to get cash and, increasingly, a convenient way to steal it.

DET. STEVEN BLAIR, BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: This is identity theft at its max. They get your personal information, and they steal all your money out of your bank accounts.

LOTHIAN: In Boston this woman says she lost $1,900 from her bank account.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt like my privacy was definitely threatened.

LOTHIAN: The suspect in her case was caught on surveillance tape and last week caught by police. Thirty-five-year-old Juan Gardicia (ph) is accused of using a high-tech scheme to target more than 400 ATM users in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, allegedly stealing at least $400,000 over the past two years, charges that he denies.

But in three easy steps, investigators say, Gardicia (ph) and others cashed in. Step number one: Police say they would mount this fake swiping box on the door of a bank's ATM machine area, which would be rigged to stay open.

BLAIR: It's a recording device that records credit card numbers.

LOTHIAN: Step number two: A small hidden camera was allegedly installed near the key pad and linked to a nearby laptop computer.

BLAIR: When a person was putting their password into the ATM machine, they were able to capture it.

LOTHIAN: And step number three: Police say blank credit cards were imprinted with the customer information that, when combined with PIN numbers, were ready to use.

While non-bank ATMs have long been targeted by criminals, this type of crime has only recent hit ATM customers nationwide in cities like Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami.

LARRY JOHNSON, SECRET SERVICE: I think initially we saw big cities that were hit the hardest. But now, it can be anywhere USA.

LOTHIAN: The Secret Service is actively pursuing ATM criminals, who are getting smarter.

JOHNSON: We try to stay a step ahead of technology.

LOTHIAN (on camera): Experts say a little common sense could help prevent some of these crimes. For example, always hide your PIN number as you enter it. Check for unusual signs or devices. If it doesn't feel right, leave. And finally, check your statements to make sure you're the only one using your account.

Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.

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PHILLIPS: All right, coming up in the second hour of LIVE FROM, it was her first call as a 911 dispatcher and one of the biggest tests of her life. This remarkable story of how she saved the life of a dying newborn. LIVE FROM's hour of power begins right after this.

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