Why Opt Out of Credit Card Offers?
Opting out of Credit Card Offers allows you to get off those mailing lists and proactively stop all those unsolicited mail that cram your mailbox everyday. Getting your name off the credit marketplace will reduce the number of credit-related temptations sent to you in the form of pre-approved credit card application. It will also cut down on unwanted phone solicitations, and safeguard your information from people who might otherwise get their hands on it for fraudulent use.
Consumer reporting agencies make money by selling your credit header to anyone who is willing to pay for it and has a permissible purpose for gathering that information.
You probably noticed a lot of promotional inquiries on your credit report. These come from anyone who wants to extend you credit or sell you things. If they can show some sort of permissible purpose, and if they pay up, these companies can get your name, address, phone number, etc. from the Credit Bureau. The good news is that you can cut down on these unsolicited mailings, and phone calls. Here are ways to opt out.
Opt out of having pre-approved offers of credit for all three Credit Bureau. Remove your name from the Credit Bureau-generated mail and phone lists for pre-screened credit offers. Call 1 (888) 5-OPTOUT (1 888-567-8688). You may choose a five-year opt-out period or permanent opt-out status.
When you call, you'll be prompted to enter your home phone number, confirm that they have the correct street number, say and spell your name and enter your Social Security number so they can verify that it's really you.
Or opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com which is the official consumer credit reporting industry opt-out web site.
Note:
Even though your request becomes effective with the Credit Bureaus within five days of notifying them, it may take several months
before you see a reduction in the number of solicitations.
The federal government created a free, easy way to reduce telemarketing calls. It's called the National Do Not Call Registry. To register your phone number, visit www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.
The Direct Marketing Association is the industry trade group for just about anyone who gathers information and wants to sell it to other people for marketing purposes. Direct Marketing Association (DMA) lets you Opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial direct-mail from many national companies.
Use the DMA list to remove names from their own mailing lists. You can register online at www.dmachoice.org.
In addition, you can write to:
DMA Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Email Opt out
To Opt out of junk email and reduce unsolicited commercial emails from Direct Marketing Association Members, visit www.dmachoice.org Your online email opt out request will be effective for 5 years.
