How to stop credit card offers

Overview

There is probably not a day that passes that you don't get at least one junk mail enticement to sign up for a credit card for which you've been "pre-approved." Here's how to put a stop to those credit card offers.

How to stop the offers

First you have to get your name removed from the companies' mailing lists.

The terms and conditions statements that accompany the mailings include instructions for opting out of a "pre-screened offer," which means the credit card issuer has checked your credit rating and decided you could qualify for this card.

Just as they have to check with the credit bureaus to determine your credit-worthiness, you can instruct those bureaus not to give the credit card companies any of your information. Here's how:

Write to a reporting agency:

Ask the agency to stop giving your information to credit card companies. Here are some companies that can help, and their addresses:

• Equifax Options, PO Box 740123, Atlanta GA 30374-0123
• Experian Target Marketing, PO Box 919, Allen TX 75013

Tips

Shred the offers. Discarded credit card offers can be used in identity theft schemes.

Check the no-solicitation box. When you apply for things like hotel loyalty programs, always check the no-solicitation options to forestall getting back on new lists.

Summary

Between airlines, hotels, associations and the credit card companies themselves, billions of credit card offers are sent out every year. Stopping the junkmail madness is easier than you might think, as long as you're willing to take action.