How to Opt Out of Credit Mailer Sample Letter

Credit card marketing companies use sales strategies such as mailers and telemarketing calls in hopes of enticing prospective cardholders to apply for credit. You may find these promotional materials more annoying and intrusive than useful. Just as there are ways to stop or at least reduce telemarketing calls, there are a few techniques you can use to stem the flow of unwanted mail. The Federal Trade Commission provides a form letter to help you do just that.

Instructions

Mail Letters to Credit Bureaus

1

Go to the "Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go to Just Say No" page on the Federal Trade Commission's website (see the Reference section for a link).

2

Copy the sample opt-out letter at the bottom of the page. Fill out the template using your information, print three copies, and then sign and date each printed copy.

3

Send a letter to each of the three credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax Inc. The addresses are provided on the FTC Web page.

Other Methods

4

Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) to stop creditors from sending you preapproved credit offers for five years. Provide the credit bureau representative with the personal information required, such as your home telephone number, name and Social Security number, to process your request.

5

Access the "Opt In or Opt Out" form on the Opt-OutPrescreen website run by the credit reporting agencies (see the Reference section for a link). Click the radio button next to "Electronic Opt-Out for Five Years" to submit an online opt-out request that remains effective for the next five years. To permanently remove your name from lists used for credit mailings and insurance offers, click the "Permanent Opt-Out by Mail" radio button, then print, sign and mail the "Permanent Opt-Out Election" form.

6

Register your home address with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service to stop receiving unsolicited commercial mail. Go to the DMAchoice.org website (see the Reference section for a link) and pay the $1 registration fee to include your name on a "delete" list distributed by DMA to direct-mail marketers. Your name and address remain on the list for the next five years.