How at risky is your identity? This is the question ID Analytics attempts to answer with their FREE service at www.myidscore.com.
According to the Washington Post article MyIDscore.com Offers Free ID Theft Risk Score, my idscore attempts to predict how likely you are to have your identity completely or partially stolen. My ID score of 084 indicated a low risk of identity theft. This is actually sort of funny because I’ve had my credit card number stolen 3 times. Once was to pay a $5,000 Harvard tuition payment. Fortunately, when this happened I did a little research myself and have done a few things to protect my credit that may or may not be mentioned at MyIDscore.com.
First, I wrote all three credit agencies and had them put my credit on high alert. This can be for a 2 year, or 7 year period. It requires anyone attempting to open credit in your social security number to contact the bureau and answer some questions.
Second, I put codewords on all financial institutions I frequent. Anytime someone tries to speak to someone about my account, or change anything, they need to know the verbal codeword.
Third, I pull free credit reports from each of the 3 credit bureaus every 4 months to watch for suspicious activity.
Some clients use paid for services like Lifelock. Whatever it takes to put your mind at ease, needs to be done. So if like me, you have had your credit card number stolen 3 times, be your own carelessness, or the credit card company being infiltrated by hackers, it is important to take the necessary steps to make you sleep well at night.
