Just say no to preapproved credit

Everybody has been a victim of preapproved credit offers, whether it is in the mail or over the phone. One of the worst things about preapproved credit offers is that they are something that an identity thief can use to steal your identity. All the identity thief has to do is steal the preapproved credit offer out of your mailbox, which you would never even notice because it is just junk mail.

The reason that an identity thief can steal your identity just by grabbing your junk mail is that those preapproved credit offers contain information that the identity thief finds useful. All that the identity thief has to do with the preapproved credit offers is fill out the information, changing the mailing address to their mailing address instead of yours and they have been able to obtain credit in your name. The worst part about this is you won't be aware of what is going on until it is too late and the damage has already been done.

People are never aware of this type of identity theft because they have no way of tracking the junk mail that they are receiving. With how dangerous it is to receive the preapproved credit offers in the mail the best thing you can do is to just say no to preapproved credit. You want to do everything that you can to stop the preapproved credit offers from coming to your home because stopping the junk mail decreases your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.

The first option that you have to get rid of the preapproved credit offers is to make a simple phone call. To opt out of getting the preapproved credit offers you will need to call 1-888-OPT-Out. When calling this number there is no time restriction because the phone call is completely automated. When calling the number you do not have a menu to choose from, it is all done by voice. For this reason you have to speak slowly and clearly so that you are understood. For some people this doesn't work so there are other options that you have.

Your next option for stopping these preapproved offers from reaching your mailbox is to visit the website that allows you to opt out of the preapproved offers online. To opt out online you will need to visit www.optoutprescreen.com. The good thing about using the website to opt out of the preapproved offers is that it is easy to do. The bad part about the website is that they ask you for a lot of personal information just so you can opt out of the junk offers. The website asks you for your address, phone number, date of birth and social security number. Most people find this a bit odd to supply their social security number just to stop getting preapproved offers.

If you are one of the people that does not think it is necessary or you do not feel comfortable giving your social security number to opt out of preapproved credit offers you still have another option. The website that you can use to opt out f preapproved credit offers also refer you to the Direct Marketers Association Consumer Assistance page through a link. Clicking on the link will take you to that page, which will allow you to remove your name from both mailing lists and telemarketing lists. To opt out of these lists you can send them either a letter or postcard containing your name, address, and signature or you can submit the information online. If you elect to submit the information online you will have to pay a $5 processing fee, but mailing in the information is free.