"Pre-Approved" Credit Offers

If you get lots of offers for a "pre-approved" credit card from financial institutions you'll be interested in this information.

Credit bureaus can release your information only to people with a legitimate business need.Who is to decide this?

Lenders and insurers may use in your credit file as a basis for sending you unsolicited offers.

You have the right to "opt-out" of receiving these offers. The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to "opt-out" of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for two years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (that's 1-888-567-8688) for more information. This line is for "prescreened" or "pre-approved" credit card offers only.

Also, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes . This is an important step toward eliminating unsolicited mail.

Equifax, Inc., Options, PO Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Experian, Consumer Opt-Out, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, TX 75012

Trans Union, Marketing List Opt-Out, PO Box, 97328, Jackson, MS 39288-74328