How to Stop Credit Card Offers in the Mail

Those "pre-approved" credit card and insurance offers flooding your mailbox aren't just annoying—they're a privacy and security risk. Every unsolicited offer is a potential identity theft vector if intercepted. The good news? You can stop almost all of them with one free service.

Quick Answer:

Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688. Choose 5-year (online) or permanent (mail form) opt-out. Free. Takes 5 days to process.

What is OptOutPrescreen?

OptOutPrescreen.com is the official, legally authorized website created by the four major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion) under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). When you opt out, these companies stop providing your credit file information to marketers who send "firm offers of credit or insurance."

5-Year vs. Permanent Opt-Out

Feature	5-Year Opt-Out	Permanent Opt-Out
Process	100% online	Online + mail signed form
Duration	5 years	Forever (until you opt back in)
Time to process	5 days	5 days (after form received)
Cost	Free	Free (+ postage)
Recommendation	Good for testing	Best choice

Visit OptOutPrescreen.com

Go to OptOutPrescreen.com. This is the only legitimate website for opting out of prescreened credit offers. Beware of imitation sites.

Alternative: Call 1-888-567-8688 (1-888-5-OPT-OUT) to opt out by phone.

Choose Your Opt-Out Period

Select one of the following options:

5-Year Opt-Out: Completed entirely online. You'll need to renew after 5 years.
Permanent Opt-Out: Start online, then print, sign, and mail the form. Never expires.

Enter Your Information

You'll need to provide the following information to verify your identity:

Social Security Number
Date of birth
Current name and address
Previous addresses (last 5 years)

Is it safe? Yes. OptOutPrescreen.com is operated by the credit bureaus themselves and uses secure encryption. Your SSN is required to match your credit file.

Submit and Confirm

Review your information and submit your request.

For Permanent Opt-Out:

Print the confirmation form
Sign and date the form
Mail to the address provided on the form
Processing begins when they receive your signed form

What OptOutPrescreen Doesn't Stop

Even after opting out, you may still receive some credit-related mail:

Offers from companies you've done business with — Banks and credit cards you already have
Non-prescreened offers — Offers based on purchased mailing lists, not your credit file
Local business offers — Sent via EDDM to every address in your area

To reduce these, register with DMAchoice.org and other opt-out services.

This Won't Stop EDDM Mail

OptOutPrescreen only stops prescreened credit offers—mail that uses your credit bureau data. It does not stop EDDM "Postal Customer" mail, which is delivered to every address regardless of who lives there.

Learn why EDDM can't be stopped →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OptOutPrescreen.com legitimate?

Yes, OptOutPrescreen.com is the official, legally authorized website created by Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion. It's the only service recognized by the credit bureaus for opting out of prescreened offers.

What's the difference between 5-year and permanent opt-out?

The 5-year opt-out can be done entirely online and lasts 5 years before you need to renew. The permanent opt-out requires you to print, sign, and mail a form, but it never expires.

Will opting out affect my credit score?

No. Opting out of prescreened offers has no effect on your credit score. It only stops companies from receiving your information for unsolicited offers. You can still apply for credit normally.

Can I opt back in after opting out?

Yes, you can opt back in at any time through OptOutPrescreen.com. The process is the same as opting out, but you select the option to receive offers again.

What information do I need to opt out?

You'll need your Social Security Number, date of birth, current address, and previous addresses from the past 5 years. This information is required to verify your identity and match your credit file.

Why do I still get credit card offers after opting out?

Some offers come from companies you already have a relationship with, which are not covered by OptOutPrescreen. Also, if your name is on a purchased mailing list, those offers may continue. Register with DMAchoice.org for additional coverage.

Ready to take action?

Sign the petition to demand opt-out rights for USPS advertising mail.

Sign the Petition