How to stop getting mass mailed "pre-approved" credit offers

[Matt Flynn]

We were getting 3-5 of these a day. Very annoying because a lot of them look like real mail. There is a national program that allows you to opt out for 5 years or permanently if you wish. It takes a few months to come into effect because the mass mailing firms only check the lists every few months.

The process takes a minute. You will need your birthdate and social security number.

www.optoutprescreen.com (http://www.optoutprescreen.com)

Matt


Ok, there were some valid questions about authenticity. No way to know for sure. However, transunion.com, one of the big four credit sites, has a link to www.optoutprescreen.com (http://www.optoutprescreen.com) with an explanation. To get to it that way go to www.transunion.com (http://www.transunion.com), follow the link for "Dispute" on the right side and click on "Opt Out" on the left column.

Also, fwiw the site has a valid Verisign seal.


P.S. Please bump this for a couple of days so everyone can see it.

[touchfaith]

If it came with a pre-paid postage envelope, cut the app into little pieces and mail it back to them on their dime.

[kipin]

This isn't a scam?

[swede123]

This webpage looks way way shady for an official opt-out form. Look at the URL at the top for example, it looks nearly as bad as the emails from the Nigerians. No way am I giving out my information including SSN to something like that.

Swede

[Matt Flynn]

Well no way to know for sure. However, transunion.com, one of the big four credit sites, has a link to www.optoutprescreen.com (http://www.optoutprescreen.com) with an explanation. To get to it that way go to www.transunion.com (http://www.transunion.com), follow the link for "Dispute" on the right side and click on "Opt Out" on the left column.

Also, fwiw the site has a valid Verisign seal.

Matt

[gumpzilla]

Furthermore, if you dial 1-888-5-OPTOUT - the phone number for opting out of the four major credit bureaus preapproved offers - you get told that that website will work as well. So I'm pretty sure that it's legit.

[swede123]

Cool. If it is legit it's definitely worth filling out. I also hate all that spam. Still, the webmaster needs to be smacked around a bit.

Swede

[kipin]

[ QUOTE ]
Cool. If it is legit it's definitely worth filling out. I also hate all that spam. Still, the webmaster needs to be smacked around a bit.

Swede

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed 100%. After Matt gave some background on it I signed up.

FWIW I did a whois on the domain, and the person who registered it regged it anonymously, which makes it seem even more shady.

[felson]

This isn't a scam. Paul Phillips linked to this site back in January and I used it then.

http://extempore.livejournal.com/69717.html

[ChipWrecked]

Getting your credit rating trashed helps too. That's what happened to some guy I know. They don't send him any offers now.

[newfant]

I love getting those credit card offers! I have about 5 0% introductory credit cards right now. No reason to pay bills today when you can let that money sit in a savings account or buy I-bonds and earn interest on the credit card issuers back for a year or so.

[Maulik]

Do we now beleive this is in the clear and not shady?

[renodoc]

avatar.... making....me....seize