Stop, Thief!

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery— so they say. It’s nice for someone to want to be like you, but what happens when someone actually wants to be you and in the process, ruins your credit?

Unfortunately, identity theft is a very real problem, and there is no way to prevent it entirely. For instance, a fraud alert will let you know when credit cards are opened in your name, but won’t help you if someone discovers a way to use your existing accounts. The best things to do the simplest ones, like monitoring your accounts regularly, keeping your computer’s security systems up to date and only using secure sites where your information is encrypted. Stop getting paper statements (also a bonus for the environment ) that can be pulled from the trash—and be sure to shred any credit card offers or bank statements that contain personal information.

By reducing your risk, you can avoid carrying around debt that you never saw coming! [Wall Street Journal]