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Use OptOutPrescreen to Stop Unsolicited Calls, Mail and Email

If you are tired of receiving those annoying telemarketing calls and having your mailbox and inbox full of unsolicited mail, including pre-approved credit card applications just because you filled out one application?

Here is the reason why it happens. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies (also known as the credit bureaus) are permitted to include your name on marketing lists to creditors. These lists are used by creditors or insurers to make unsolicited offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you (“Firm Offers”). The FCRA also provides general public the right to “Opt-Out”, which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers. If you choose to Opt-Out, you will no longer be included in firm offer lists provided by these four consumer credit reporting companies. OptOutPrescreen

Credit Bureaus

OptOutPrescreen.com is a centralized service to accept and process requests from consumers to “Opt-In” or “Opt-Out” of unsolicited offers of credit or insurance. It is a joint venture among Equifax Information Services, LLC, Experian Information Solutions, Inc., Innovis Data Solutions, Inc., and TransUnion, LLC (collectively the “Consumer Credit Reporting Companies” or “Credit Bureaus”).

OptOutPrescreen.com is the only internet website authorized by Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion for this purpose under the FCRA. Please note that, as a security precaution, consumers should never provide their personal information to any other company or person in connection with requesting Opt-In or Opt-Out services. OptOutPrescreen.com will not contact consumers via email, telemarketing or direct mail solicitations.

If you decide that you don’t want to receive pre-screened offers of credit and insurance, you have two choices to OptOutPrescreen: You can opt out of receiving them for five years or opt out of receiving them permanently.

To opt out for five years: Call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. Once you provide your information through this secure website, your name will be removed from inclusion on firm offer lists provided by all four companies.

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.

 

Telemarketing

The federal government’s National Do Not Call Registry is a free, easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register your phone number or to get information about the registry, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register. You will get fewer telemarketing calls within 31 days of registering your number. Telephone numbers on the registry will only be removed when they are disconnected and reassigned, or when you choose to remove a number from the registry.

What is an Electronic Opt-Out for Five Years?

Opting-Out refers to the process for removing your name from lists supplied by the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies, Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion, to be used for firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. Your rights as a consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) include the right to “Opt-Out” for 5 years or permanently.

What is Permanent Opt-Out by Mail?

Opting-Out refers to the process for removing your name from lists supplied by the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies, Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion, to be used for firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. Your rights as a consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) include the right to “Opt-Out” for 5 years or permanently.

What is Opt-In?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm (preapproved / prescreened) offers of credit or insurance. If you have previously completed a request to Opt-Out from receiving firm offers, you must complete a request to Opt-In to begin receiving offers again. You do not need to complete a request to Opt-In if you have not previously submitted an Opt-Out request

What is a firm (preapproved / prescreened) offer of credit or insurance?

A firm offer of credit or insurance is defined as any offer of credit or insurance to a consumer that will be honored if the consumer is determined, based on the consumer’s credit report, to meet the specific criteria used to select the consumer for the offer, subject to certain confirmation requirements.

Does exercising my right to Opt-Out affect my ability to apply for credit or insurance?

No, removing your name from these lists for firm offers of credit or insurance does not affect your ability to apply for or obtain credit or insurance.

Does Opting-Out improve my credit score?

No, since inquiries for firm offers for credit or insurance are not used in calculating credit scores, Opting-Out does not improve your credit score. Similarly, inquiries for firm offers for credit or insurance do not reduce your credit score.

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