Hopefully you will never need this information, but I did this week, when my wallet was stolen from my car. Sure, it’s a pain — new driver’s license, re-ordering credit cards, etc., but it’s also an easy way in which to get your “identity” stolen.

Think about it — the bad guy has your name, address, birth date, and probably a lot more personal information. It would be simple to take that and order items online, open new accounts or even order a new cell phone (as happened to a friend of mine).

But there is a simple way to protect yourself.

The police officer who took the burglary report advised me to contact all three major credit bureaus — Trans Union, Experian and Equifax — and instruct them to put what is known as a “fraud alert” on my name and aspects of my identification.

This is a free service, and provides you with so much protection. The fraud alert was instantaneous, flagging my personal information for 90 days of the possibility of fraud. If someone now attempts to gain credit with my name, I will be called to verify that it is indeed me.

I completed the process online, as well as through automated services for two of the other credit bureaus. It took all of about 15 minutes, but it was a small price to pay in terms of time that I would not be a crime victim again in the future.

Feel free to share this information. I never knew, and am glad I know now.