Do you find your mailbox stuffed with offers from credit card companies? "Pre-approved" offers for "No Hassle credit cards" are annoying, especially when you're not on the market for new credit.
The offers bring about another concern: identity theft. You have to make sure you properly dispose of the credit card applications. Otherwise, a thief could steal the application, mail it back, and intercept the card. It could be months, years even, before you discover the violation, especially if you're not monitoring your credit report.
How To Opt-Out of Credit Card Offers
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act requires credit card companies to print opt-out instructions on their solicitations. However, if you're like many other consumers, you simply toss the applications without even opening them. In that case, you'd never see the instructions for opting-out.
To stop receiving pre-screened credit card offers, you can visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). You can also use these options if you have previous opted-out and would like to begin receiving pre-screened offers again.
Regardless of which method you use - visiting the website or calling - you will have to provide some personal information. Your name, address, social security number, and date of birth are required to confirm your identity.
Some Mail May Fall Through the Cracks
While this process will likely put an end to most unsolicited credit card mail, it doesn't stop everything. You may continue to receive offers from companies with whom you already have business. Also, companies that do not go through the pre-screening process may still send offers to you.
