Check your ID score

[bookgirl]

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.

Okay

1. it's wikipedia, not exactly a reliable source, as any high school student or college student will tell you, you can't site wikipedia.

2. He may not personally accecpt money but his business does, so sorry he might be a good speaker but if he wants to take the high road then he should remove all banners and ads from his website. It can be done, he just hasn't. But neither has anyone else so he gets lumped in with the rest of the rainmakers. He might have some good advice, hey I took some of Ramseys and Ormans advice but none of them qualify as humanitarians, so they are as open to ridicule as anyone else.

 

[grits98]

FYI - For those people who haven't heard of Clark Howard, he is amazing. He has personally helped my parents out of a few very difficult financial situations. Although I find it a little ridiculous to be espousing his virtues on a Disney board, I can guarantee he is more than qualified to be giving sound financial advice. Clark rocks!

 

[wvjules]

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.

Clark, is that you?

 

[surfgirl]

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

I'm staying out of the Clark Howard is pure or not debate (but I will say that one company that is truly anti-endorsement, etc. is Consumer Reports).

I'm just curious why the first sentence is a " " ???

 

[mom23boys]

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.

Clark, is that you?

OMG You guys are so funny. I really needed a good laugh right about now.

 

[luvmy3]

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

Clark, is that you?

HHmm, I think you guys may be on to something

 

[Zydebearsmom]

This is so funny. My family and I can't stop laughing. I love Clark Howard but due to common sense, would never share my personal information in that way. So can you tell us what your score was? Just curious.

 

[cm8]

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.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

This whole thing reminds me of that idiot from LifeLock... you know, with his SSN on the side of a truck and billboards and such. Very sad.

After looking at the site, I think it's like the SAT's... you get 200 points just for filling in your name.

My personal recommendation, as I believe a PP stated, is to do a credit freeze with all 3 CRA's, by having a note put on your file which states you may have been a victim of ID theft and for credit grantors to verify all your information before any account is opened. This is not an inconvenience to you, as if you are applying for credit, it just means a few more questions. I've done it quickly via phone in stores, when applying for store credit. The thief would need to know a lot more about you, and might have to pull out your credit report to answer the types of questions they ask... unless they have a great memory.

Also, when you get your free reports from annualcreditreport.com, just see if you have a bunch of companies listed as having checked your credit, or if you have any accounts listed that are not yours.

You need to protect your virtual life as well as your own life. Aside from researching how to do that, you need to be judicious whenever using the send buton. All this information is available freely on the web without you needing to reveal any personal information.

The world is rife with companies providing poor solutions for your life, some with a price, and the internet has made it easier for them to do so. I don't need to know my ID theft risk score, because it's like 10,000 on their scale, everyone's is. The moment you apply for a job, credit, whatever you write your information on, you're crossing your fingers.

So the idiot from LifeLock has had his identity stolen many times, has been sued by the FTC, and has lost the identities of many customers after his servers were breached.

Actually, the whole thing reminds me of the idiot from facebook.

Actually, the whole thing reminds me of the idiot from the twitter.

Actually, the whole thing reminds me of the idiot from myspace.

 

[Free4Life11]

Go ahead. I was married BEFORE I had children. The only man I have ever slept with is my husband. I have been married to the same man for 12 years. I am at home raising my 4 children, and I am not out sleeping around just because I can. I have never had an affair. I don't smoke. I only drink once in a while, and I don't walk around town in my underwear.

The Spears family has made very bad choices. They know they are in the spotlight, you would think they would act accordingly. If they didn't want the attention, they would not parade around like they do.

Um, what??

 

[luvmy3]

Go ahead. I was married BEFORE I had children. The only man I have ever slept with is my husband. I have been married to the same man for 12 years. I am at home raising my 4 children, and I am not out sleeping around just because I can. I have never had an affair. I don't smoke. I only drink once in a while, and I don't walk around town in my underwear.

The Spears family has made very bad choices. They know they are in the spotlight, you would think they would act accordingly. If they didn't want the attention, they would not parade around like they do.

I had no idea Clark was related to Britney

 

[surfgirl]

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

So I just went to his website to check and I see the following ads:

Ackerman Security
RBM of Atlanta (sponsored by)
Matrix Direct
sanebull.com
LGE Community Credit Union

And in fact, there is a link to "How to Advertise"

I don't get how he "doesn't take ads from anyone" ???
--------------------

As for the "doesn't do endorsements", there are some that believe this is exactly that...

http://www.wimax360.com/profiles/blogs/channel-2s-clark-howard-on

--------------------
like many other things, I just take it with a grain of salt...

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't post my info there either. It just feels uncomfortable. Clark Howard is a pretty cool guy though.

As for credit freezes, those normally cost money and freeze your file from access by new creditors unless you lift the freeze for a period of time. You get a password to do so. A credit alert can be added with a phone number so that you can be contacted by new creditors if you or someone else applies for credit with your info. Those are good for 90 days. They are different.

 

[Liberty Belle]

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.

lol Yeah, I just went to the link and put in everything (just name and address, like I would do when placing an order online) and it came back saying they couldn't do anything without my social security number and assured me it was a secure site.

Yeah, sorry. Not doing it.