Sticks and stones are better than this

DEAR HARRY: I do not have a common name. Some years ago, I discovered that another guy who graduated from my college three years after me had an identical name, including the middle name. There was a credit mixup, but I straightened it out with the three main credit-reporting companies, and I froze my credit so no new accounts could be opened. All was peaceful until last month. I received a letter from a collection agency in Maryland demanding payment of a 2009 bill from a clothing store. I never heard of the place, much less bought there. I contacted the collecting company and referred them to one of the credit-reporting companies. The collectors just sent me a letter confirming that the debt was not mine. A lady at the credit-reporting company told me that I could receive more such claims because my namesake has an "active" credit history. I take that to mean that his history is not so hot. Is there a way to prevent this mix-up in the future?

WHAT HARRY SAYS: There is very little you can do beyond what you've already done. Just deal with each situation as it arises. You did the right thing by putting that freeze on your credit, but it won't be a 100 percent cure. I can understand your frustration, because there's a racketeer in New York with my name.