Stop the prescreened marketing offers to clean up your mailbox and limit access to your credit file.
Many companies that solicit new credit card accounts and insurance policies use prescreening to identify potential customers for their products. Prescreened offers—sometimes called “preapproved” offers—are based on information in your credit report that indicates you meet the criteria set by the offeror. Prescreened solicitations usually come via mail, but you may also receive them via phone call or email.
What It Means to Receive a Prescreened Credit Card Offer
- Companies make firm offers for credit and insurance using the information found in your credit reports
- Prescreened offers, sometimes called “preapproved” offers, are based on information in your credit report that indicates you meet the company’s criteria.
- Prescreened solicitations are sent via mail, but you may also receive them via phone call or email.
- You have the consumer right to opt-out of prescreened credit offers or opt-in
You can opt out of receiving them for five years or opt out of receiving them permanently.
How to Opt-out of Prescreened Marketing Offers
If you decide that you don’t want to receive prescreened offers of credit and insurance, you have two choices:
To opt out for five years: Call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. The major consumer reporting companies operate the phone number and website.
To opt out permanently: You may begin the permanent Opt-Out process online at www.optoutprescreen.com. To complete your request, you must return the signed Permanent Opt-Out Election form, which will be provided after you initiate your online request.
When you call or visit the website, you’ll be asked to provide certain personal information, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out.
If you don’t have access to the Internet, you may send a written request to permanently opt out to each of the major consumer reporting companies. Ensure your request includes your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth. Send your letter as certified mail to confirm receipt.
Experian
Opt-Out
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Equifax, Inc.
Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
Innovis Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 495
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0495
Why is Your Name Shared with Marketers?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you (“Firm Offers”)
The Benefit of Prescreened Marketing Offers
Card issuers may use a credit bureau to make firm offers of credit to you. They use credit histories that meet the criteria asked for by the card issuer (for example, a minimum credit score). This does not mean the credit card issuer must provide you with a credit card. You must still apply.
Once you apply, the card issuer can review your application and other information, such as an updated credit report, employment, and income, to determine whether your credit history and other criteria are met.
Being opt-in, you may have access to credit and insurance products that may not be available to the general public.
by Jason Vitug
I’ve opted out of prescreened marketing offers for years. It’s easy to do and well worth it to limit the amount of unsolicited mail and offers.