Check your ID score

[Purseval]

I heard about this on the Clark Howard show today. You input information (a social security number isn't required but you will get a more accurate score if you give it) and they come back with a score that goes from 1 to 1000. The higher you score the greater the chance you have of becoming a victim of identity theft. He recommends freezing your credit if you get a high score.

The site:

https://www.myidscore.com/

How to freeze and thaw your credit:

http://clarkhoward.com/topics/credit_freeze_states.html

BTW I checked my score and it's 309, which is low risk.

 

[marlynnp]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

 

[luvmy3]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

Sorry OP, but I find it humorously ironic also.

 

[Purseval]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

Obviously you've never heard of Clark Howard. Your loss.

 

[bookgirl]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

HaHa, I was thinking the exact same thing.

Oh and I have heard of Clark. Still very very funny.

 

[LilyWDW]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

I was thinking the same thing.

And yes, I know who Clark Howard is. I have also heard him give bad advice before and he is not immune to making mistakes.

I wouldn't be shocked if he was getting a kickback from the website to promote them.

 

[phorsenuf]

So, let me see if I've got this right.

You just entered all the information someone would need in order to steal your identity at a site that claims to let you know how likely it is that your identity will be stolen?

I'd say your chances are pretty high.

 

[brivers222]

give me your mother maiden name, ssn and full name.... I will let you know your credit score and tell you how possible it is for you to get a loan.

 

[LilyWDW]

give me your mother maiden name, ssn and full name.... I will let you know your credit score and tell you how possible it is for you to get a loan.

.... and I will let you know just how easy it would be for someone to steal your identity!

BTW, thanks for the loan!

 

[Purseval]

I was thinking the same thing.

And yes, I know who Clark Howard is. I have also heard him give bad advice before and he is not immune to making mistakes.

I wouldn't be shocked if he was getting a kickback from the website to promote them.

Well the information is out there, along with the source. That's all I can do. If you have some reason to think there is fraud involved I suggest you post it so we don't think some people are just posting silly comments about something they don't have a clue about. After all, suggesting that a DISboards member is posting links to a site that would steal your identity is a pretty serious charge that should get the OP (that would be me) banned if true.

 

[LilyWDW]

Well the information is out there, along with the source. That's all I can do. If you have some reason to think there is fraud involved I suggest you post it so we don't think some people are just posting silly comments about something they don't have a clue about. After all, suggesting that a DISboards member is posting links to a site that would steal your identity is a pretty serious charge that should get the OP (that would be me) banned if true.

People were cracking a joke. It is highly ironic that a site that is supposed to HELP you not get your identity stolen asks for the exact same information that would be needed for someone to do so. I am sorry that it wasn't clear.

Also, I wasn't the only one who cracked the joke... so don't know why you only picked me to quote.

Also, I personally take what all these guys say with a grain of salt. Sometimes their advice is sound, sometimes it is not. Something they suggest may have worked great for them, but due to random variables it may not work for someone else.

 

[marlynnp]

Obviously you've never heard of Clark Howard. Your loss.

Touchy, touchy.
Not my loss. Might be yours.

I've heard of him and he, like anyone else, is not infallible.

Like someone else pointed out, it's quite likely that was basically an advertisement. And even if the site itself is legit, I'm not so naive as to trust that information to a site which I do not know and am not cognizant of the measures they take to make sure that information stays secure.

 

[Purseval]

Touchy, touchy.
Not my loss. Might be yours.

You're right that it's not just your loss. You took a post from the site of the most listened to and respected consumer advocate in the country and made it sound like a joke. So folks who may have actually benefited from the information will most likely pass on it because people who didn't know any better made it sound like someone was trying to scam them out of their information.

Like someone else pointed out, it's quite likely that was basically an advertisement.

Really? So if someone posts about a 30% off code for Kohls that's an advertisement for Kohls, or a blurb about a free subscription to Good Housekeeping becomes an advertisement for the magazine?

And even if the site itself is legit, I'm not so naive as to trust that information to a site which I do not know and am not cognizant of the measures they take to make sure that information stays secure.

Trashing something out of hand that you aren't cognizant of is nescient.

 

[pyrxtc]

Geez !! The first thing I thought of was that I would never use a site like the one described and would not even click on a link that I don't know. I have never heard of the guy you are talking about and wouldn't trust him for anything.

Your chances of becoming a victim in identity theft rises with the more information you put out there and any website can be hacked, including the linked one. Just waiting to see an article someday that all these people that were curious of their chances just had it happen because they gave this site their info.

And heck, I got the joke without even trying. Anyone who really wants to look, will regardless. Someone is a little jumpy today. Celebs get paid all the time to recommend stuff. Unless he is a computer genius, then I don't take the word of anyone I don't know. If you have enough money, you can pay someone to say anything.

 

[Purseval]

If you have enough money, you can pay someone to say anything.

The only problem with that logic is that Clark Howard doesn't take ads from anyone and doesn't do paid endorsements. Individual radio stations sell ad time during commercial breaks so, in theory, you can get a promo for a scam operation while listening to the Clark Howard show because they have no control over the stations. So while you might hear Sean Hannity talk about his friends at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse you will never hear anyone on Clark's show endorse something because they've been paid to mention it.

Due diligence is a good thing and everyone should be careful about taking anyone's word when you are asked for personal information. But just trashing something because you haven't heard of it before doesn't add anything to the discussion.

 

[phorsenuf]

The only problem with that logic is that Clark Howard doesn't take ads from anyone and doesn't do paid endorsements. Individual radio stations sell ad time during commercial breaks so, in theory, you can get a promo for a scam operation while listening to the Clark Howard show because they have no control over the stations. So while you might hear Sean Hannity talk about his friends at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse you will never hear anyone on Clark's show endorse something because they've been paid to mention it.

Due diligence is a good thing and everyone should be careful about taking anyone's word when you are asked for personal information. But just trashing something because you haven't heard of it before doesn't add anything to the discussion.

Goodness, you are pretty touchy about all this. Are you getting a kickback?

 

[Swimalie]

The only problem with that logic is that Clark Howard doesn't take ads from anyone and doesn't do paid endorsements. Individual radio stations sell ad time during commercial breaks so, in theory, you can get a promo for a scam operation while listening to the Clark Howard show because they have no control over the stations. So while you might hear Sean Hannity talk about his friends at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse you will never hear anyone on Clark's show endorse something because they've been paid to mention it.

100% right about Clark. I've been a listener for over 10 years now. Thanks to him, I've saved a ton of money and avoided being ripped off so far.

 

[disneygirl 17]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/05/myidscorecom_offers_free_id_th.html

I knew I had seen this advice somewhere else before.

 

[bookgirl]

The only problem with that logic is that Clark Howard doesn't take ads from anyone and doesn't do paid endorsements. .

Go to his website and there is an advertisment banner right across the top of the page. Scroll down and there are at least four other ads, including links. He doesn't have to mention it, it's an implied endorsment. Whether he gets paid or not, who knows, but he's a business man and I doubt he does anything for free. He also does a thriving business in books and materials that you pay for. He's no better than Dave Ramsey, Dr. Laura, Suzy Orman, or Dr. Phil, they all are there to 'help', but they all make sure they get the money up front.

It was a joke and you're acting like posters put a full page ad in the NYT declaring him satan, or like it's a personal affront to you, but you have more than once gone after posters opinions on this board with one of your own that was different. It's opinions, either live with it or don't post.

I did go look at the site but decided not to put in my personal info. Afterall, it basically says if you score high enough you should run a credit report every 90 days, and if you have really good credit and you've been alerted to a possible security breach by your bank or websites you should put a freeze on your accounts...well no kidding. Not something I need to use as I already monitor my accounts. And I don't need anyone to tell me something I already know.

oh and if you click on a subject heading at the bottom, like buying a home, guess what the banner on that page is a MORGATAGE COMPANY....totally endorsing or getting paid for it.

 

[Purseval]

Go to his website and there is an advertisment banner right across the top of the page. Scroll down and there are at least four other ads, including links. He doesn't have to mention it, it's an implied endorsment. Whether he gets paid or not, who knows, but he's a business man and I doubt he does anything for free.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Howard

Although his radio show is supported in part by national sponsors, Clark has stated on air he does not accept money for personal endorsements. This is of note as he often states strongly-worded opinions and research, both pro and con, on various consumer issues, companies, and products.

He started several civic programs in the community, such as Atlanta Volunteer Action, Volunteer Action, Inc., The Big Buddy Program, and Career Action. In 1993, Howard opened the Consumer Action Center, an advice service for consumer questions which is staffed by 150 volunteers.

Also in 2006, Clark Howard began hosting the series "Get Clark Smart with Clark Howard" on Rainbow Media's free VOD Channel Mag Rack. This 20 episode series has shows featuring information on "Buying a New Home", "Kids & Money", "Saving for College", "Buying a Used Car", "Home Renovations" and more.

With help from his listeners, Clark began teaming up with Habitat for Humanity in 1996 to build houses around the Atlanta area. 2010 marked the 15th anniversary build and "Team Clark" completed its 39th house together.