The fastest way to stop credit card offers is to opt out through the official credit reporting system
Credit card offers arrive because the major credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — sell lists of consumers to card issuers. To stop receiving them, you must opt out directly with these agencies, not with individual card companies. The process takes minutes and works through two channels: a phone line and a website run by the agencies themselves.
The official opt-out system is called the Opt-Out Prescreen, and it is managed by a service called the National Consumer Assistance Center. You can opt out for five years by phone or permanently by mail. Opting out by phone is the fastest route and takes effect within one to three weeks.
The phone number is 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). When you call, you will be asked to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. The system is automated, so you do not speak to a person. After you complete the call, you will receive a confirmation number — write it down.
If you prefer not to use the phone, you can opt out permanently by mail. You will need to print a form from www.optoutprescreen.com, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. Permanent opt-out by mail takes four to six weeks to take effect.
Key Takeaways
- The Opt-Out Prescreen system, run by the National Consumer Assistance Center, is the official way to stop credit card offers from the three major credit reporting agencies.
- Calling 1-888-567-8688 opts you out for five years and takes effect within one to three weeks; opting out by mail is permanent but takes four to six weeks.
- You must provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and address to opt out, and you will receive a confirmation number by phone or mail.
- Opting out through Opt-Out Prescreen stops prescreened offers from card issuers but does not stop all marketing mail — some offers come from other sources.
- If you receive offers after opting out, contact the card issuer directly and request removal from their mailing list.
What happens when you opt out through Opt-Out Prescreen
When you opt out, you are telling the credit reporting agencies not to sell your name and information to card issuers for prescreened offers. A prescreened offer is one that the issuer has already decided you likely may have access to for based on your credit report. These are the majority of credit card offers that arrive unsolicited.
Opting out does not remove your name from all mailing lists. Some card issuers also buy names from other sources — direct mail brokers, retailers, or public records — and will continue to send offers. You will still receive some mail, but the volume should drop significantly within a month.
Your credit report itself is not affected by opting out. Your credit score does not change, and you remain visible to lenders when you apply for credit. Opting out only stops the unsolicited prescreened offers.
Stopping offers from specific card issuers
If you continue to receive offers from a particular card company after opting out through Opt-Out Prescreen, you can contact that issuer directly. Most card companies have a customer service number on the back of their offer letter or on their website.
When you call, ask to be placed on their internal do-not-mail list. You will need to provide your name, address, and sometimes your date of birth. The issuer will remove you from their marketing list, though this only stops that one company's offers, not others.
Some issuers allow you to opt out online through their website. Look for a link labeled "Manage Your Marketing Preferences" or "Opt Out of Marketing" on their site. The process is usually faster than calling.
Handling offers that arrive after you opt out
Even after you opt out, you may receive a few more offers in the mail. This is normal because offers that were already in the mail pipeline will still arrive for one to two weeks after your opt-out takes effect. After that window, the volume should drop sharply.
If offers continue to arrive regularly after four weeks, contact Opt-Out Prescreen again. You can call the same number to verify that your opt-out was processed correctly. Have your confirmation number ready if you have it.
You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if you believe a company is ignoring your opt-out request. The FTC's complaint form is at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the name of the issuer, the dates you received offers, and proof that you opted out.
Why you still receive some credit card mail after opting out
The Opt-Out Prescreen system only covers prescreened offers from the three major credit reporting agencies. Card issuers also purchase mailing lists from other sources that are not part of this system. These include direct mail brokers, credit card comparison websites, and retailers that sell customer data.
Some offers also come from banks and credit unions that you already have a relationship with. These are not prescreened offers — they are marketing to existing customers. Opting out through Opt-Out Prescreen does not stop these.
If you want to reduce mail from all sources, you can also register with DMAchoice.com, which is run by the Direct Marketing Association. This service removes your name from many direct mail lists, though it is separate from the credit card opt-out system and takes longer to take effect.
The difference between opting out for five years and permanently
When you opt out by phone, you opt out for five years. After five years, your opt-out expires and you will start receiving prescreened offers again unless you opt out again. You can call back anytime to renew your opt-out before it expires.
When you opt out by mail, you opt out permanently. Your opt-out does not expire, and you will not receive prescreened offers unless you change your mind and request to be added back to the list.
Permanent opt-out by mail is the better choice if you never want to receive these offers again. The trade-off is that it takes four to six weeks instead of one to three weeks. If you need to stop offers quickly, use the phone line and plan to mail a permanent opt-out form later.
Opting back in if you change your mind
If you opted out and later decide you want to receive prescreened offers again, you can opt back in. Call the same number — 1-888-567-8688 — and follow the prompts to request to be added back to the prescreened list. You can also visit www.optoutprescreen.com to opt back in online.
If you opted out permanently by mail, you will need to mail a written request to opt back in. The address is on the Opt-Out Prescreen website. Opting back in takes effect within one to three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does opting out hurt my credit score?
No. Opting out does not affect your credit report or score. It only stops unsolicited prescreened offers. Your credit remains visible to lenders when you apply for credit on your own.
Will opting out stop all credit card mail?
No. Opting out through Opt-Out Prescreen stops prescreened offers from the three major credit reporting agencies, but card issuers also buy names from other sources. You may still receive some offers, but the volume should drop significantly.
How long does it take for the mail to stop after I opt out?
Opt-out by phone takes effect within one to three weeks. You may receive a few more offers during that time because they were already in the mail. After four weeks, the volume should be much lower. Opt-out by mail takes four to six weeks.
Can I opt out online instead of calling?
You can opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com, but this only opts you out for five years. To opt out permanently, you must mail a signed form. The website has a link to print and mail the permanent opt-out form.
What if I still get offers after opting out?
Contact the card issuer directly and ask to be placed on their do-not-mail list. If offers continue after four weeks, call Opt-Out Prescreen again to verify your opt-out was processed. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.