Prescreened offers are credit card and insurance solicitations based on information from your credit report. Credit bureaus sell lists of consumers meeting certain criteria to lenders and insurers, who then send "pre-approved" offers.
20 steps across 3 sections
1. Steps Process
- Decide on temporary or permanent opt-out:
- 5-year opt-out Quick, done online or by phone
- Permanent opt-out Requires a signed form mailed back
- Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) — This is the official site operated by the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis).
- Provide required information — You will need: full name, current mailing address, Social Security number, and date of birth. This information is used to process your request and is kept confidential.
- For 5-year opt-out: Complete the online form or phone call. Your request is processed within 5 days.
- For permanent opt-out: Start online or by phone, then print, sign, and mail the Permanent Opt-Out Election form that you receive. The permanent opt-out is not effective until the signed form is rec...
- Wait for results — It may take several weeks for offers to stop because some companies may have obtained your information before your request was processed.
- Opt back in (if desired) — You can reverse your opt-out at any time through the same website or phone number.
2. Key Details
- OptOutPrescreen.com is the ONLY official opt-out service (operated by the four major credit bureaus)
- Opting out does NOT affect your credit score
- Soft inquiries used for prescreening are not visible to other lenders
- The opt-out covers credit card offers, insurance offers, and other prescreened solicitations based on credit bureau data
- This does NOT stop all junk mail — only offers based on credit bureau lists
- The service is free — never pay anyone to opt you out
3. Additional Steps To Reduce Junk Mail
- DMAchoice.org Register to reduce direct marketing mail from the Direct Marketing Association
- CatalogChoice.org Opt out of catalog mailings
- USPS Informed Delivery Manage your mail preferences
- Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) Reduce telemarketing calls
- Individual company opt-outs Contact specific companies directly to remove your name from their mailing lists
Common Mistakes
- Using unofficial websites or services (scams exist)
- Expecting immediate results (takes several weeks)
- Not completing the permanent opt-out form (online/phone only gives 5 years)
- Providing information to unverified third parties claiming to offer opt-out s...
- Assuming opt-out stops all unsolicited mail (only stops credit bureau-based o...
Pro Tips
- Opt out of prescreened offers to reduce identity theft risk (fewer offers in ...
- Opting out does not prevent you from applying for credit — you can still seek...
- If you are still receiving offers after opting out, the sender may be using a...
- Shred any prescreened offers you receive instead of throwing them away to pre...
- Consider a mailbox lock if you receive sensitive financial mail