August is usually when people enjoy well-deserved vacations and time away from school and work. Many look forward to this month as a time to relax and recharge before returning to their usual September schedules.
Taking time off from one’s regular routine is good for physical, mental, and emotional health. But in regard to your finances and credit, staying vigilant and informed is crucial throughout the year.
Check your credit reports
To help you monitor your financial information at the 3 credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian), consider going to AnnualCreditReport.com to request one free credit report from each credit reporting agency.
Consider a credit freeze
You can obtain free credit freezes at all 3 reporting agencies. Credit or security freezes prevent new accounts from being opened without your permission.
Fraud alerts to prevent identity theft
You may also want to add a fraud alert at no charge to your credit account to ensure lenders verify your identity and prevent identity theft.
Knowing that you have taken the necessary precautions to protect your credit can go a long way to having peace of mind with your finances.
Once you’ve checked your credit and made sure your finances are in order, it’s time to sit back and relax! You’ve got a month of summer left to enjoy and you can do so knowing that you have taken the necessary precautions to protect your credit health.
