How to Block Credit Card Offers

You can block credit card offers from reaching your mailbox.

Your mailbox may be stuffed with credit card offers if you have a good credit score. This opens you up to identity theft if someone steals one of the offers from your box or garbage can. You can stop the shower of offers if you are not looking for a new credit card and have no need for them. The process is free and can be done on the Internet or over the phone.

Instructions

1. Find your Social Security number, which you will need to prove your identity during the blocking process, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

2. Call [phone] or visit the Optoutprescreen website. Both are run jointly by the major credit bureaus to give you a way to block credit card offers. You can block these offers for five years through the website. The phone line lets you block them permanently, and the website also has a permanent opt-out form you can download and mail in.

3. Enter the requested information on the website or telephone. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, telephone number, Social Security number and other demographic information to complete your blocking request.

4. Monitor your mail. Your request will be processed within five days, according to the FTC, but it often takes as long as 60 days for credit card offers to cease. You should also stop receiving offers from insurance companies. Repeat the opt-out process if you don't see a difference within this time frame.

Tips & Warnings

• The FTC explains you can write individual letters to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, opting out of promotional offers if you do not wish to use the Optoutprescreen website or telephone option. Each letter should give your identifying information and state you do not want any information shared with companies for promotional purposes. Each credit bureau will have its postal address on its website.

• You may temporarily request credit card and insurance offers through the phone number or website, according to the FTC. This can be done if you want to open a new credit card account or get an insurance policy. You can repeat the opt-out process to stop the offers again when your search is complete.

• You will not stop all solicitations by using the Optoutprescreen website or phone option. Your current banks and other businesses that you deal with can still send offers unless you ask them individually to stop. Katie Couric of CBS Evening News advises filling out an opt-out request with the Direct Marketing Association to stop the offers.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: Pre-Screened Offers of Credit and Insurance
• CBS Evening News: How to Stop Credit Card Offers

Resources

• Federal Trade Commission: Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email
• Optoutprescreen
• Direct Marking Association