Great question! If your child is under 16, you can ask the three major credit bureaus to place a freeze on their credit. (It's a lot of paperwork, which the credit bureaus love, apparently.) Make sure any documents with personal information, like their birth certificate and Social Security card, are stored safely in your home. Wipe phones and computers before trashing, selling or donating them.

And be thoughtful about the information you share about your child. Places LOVE asking me what my baby's Social Security number is. Does his pediatrician really need to know that? Does his daycare? I don't think so. I leave that field blank wherever possible.