How do I stop pre-approved credit card and loan offers from coming in the mail?

Opt out at OptOutPrescreen.com, the official site authorized by the credit bureaus. You can opt out for 5 years online or permanently (which requires mailing a signed form). The opt-out applies to all credit card and insurance pre-approved offers from all major credit bureaus and stops the bulk of pre-screened mail within 30-60 days. The service is free and federally authorized under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Why you receive these offers. Credit card issuers and insurance companies purchase pre-screened lists from credit bureaus. The lists identify consumers who meet specific credit criteria. The bureau-to-issuer data flow is authorized by the FCRA but you have a federal right to opt out.

OptOutPrescreen.com. The official opt-out site is jointly operated by Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis. The site offers two opt-out options: 5-year electronic opt-out (immediate, online form) or permanent opt-out (requires printing and mailing a signed form).

What information is required. Name, current and previous addresses (within the past two years), date of birth, Social Security Number. The bureaus use this information to identify your file.

Effect on credit applications. Opting out of pre-screened offers does NOT affect your ability to apply for credit. You can still apply for any credit card or loan; the application process is unchanged.

Effect on credit score. Opting out has no effect on your credit score. Pre-screened offers and the opt-out process are completely invisible to credit scoring models.

Timeline for stopping mail. Most pre-approved mail stops within 30-60 days of opting out. Some offers in the mail pipeline at the time of opt-out may still arrive for a few weeks afterward.

Opt out of regular junk mail. The pre-screened opt-out only stops credit-related offers. To stop other direct mail (catalogs, charity solicitations), use DMAchoice.org. The Direct Marketing Association manages a separate opt-out for general direct mail.

Other types of unwanted contact. Phone calls: register on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov). Text messages: reply STOP to opt out. Email: use unsubscribe links in marketing emails.