You can opt out of credit card offers through the official opt-out service, by contacting card issuers directly, or by adjusting your privacy settings online
Credit card companies buy your name from credit bureaus and use it to send unsolicited offers. You have two legal routes to stop them: the National Consumer Assistance Plan (NCAP), which handles mail and phone offers, and individual card issuer websites, which control online offers. The NCAP opt-out is free and covers most major issuers, but it does not reach every company. Opting out online gives you more control over what each issuer sees about you, but requires separate action for each one.
The process takes minutes to start but can take up to 30 days to show results. Some offers will still arrive after you opt out — older mailings already in the pipeline, or offers from smaller issuers not part of the NCAP system. Opting out does not affect your credit score or your ability to open accounts later.
Key Takeaways
- The National Consumer Assistance Plan (NCAP) lets you opt out of credit card offers by phone, mail, or online at OptOutPrescreen.com, and covers the major credit card issuers.
- Opting out through NCAP is permanent unless you change your mind, while online opt-outs through individual issuer websites may expire after a set period.
- You can also call or write to individual card issuers directly to ask them to remove your name from their marketing lists.
- Opting out stops prescreened offers but does not prevent you from receiving offers if you have an existing account with that issuer.
Opting out through the National Consumer Assistance Plan
The NCAP is the official channel for opting out of prescreened credit and insurance offers. It is run by the four major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis — and covers most large card issuers. You can opt out online, by phone, or by mail.
Online: Go to OptOutPrescreen.com, enter your name, address, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number, and select whether you want to opt out for five years or permanently. The site is secure and does not require you to create an account. You will receive a confirmation page; print or save it for your records.
By phone: Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). A representative will ask for the same information and process your request immediately. You can opt out for five years or permanently.
By mail: Send a letter to the NCAP address (available on OptOutPrescreen.com) with your name, address, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. Specify whether you want to opt out for five years or permanently. Mail takes longer — typically two to four weeks — but creates a paper record.
Opting out permanently means your name stays off prescreened lists indefinitely, even if you move or change your contact information. If you opt out for five years only, you will need to renew your request after that period ends.
Opting out directly with individual card issuers
Even after you opt out through NCAP, some issuers may still send offers if they have your information from other sources — a previous account, a credit inquiry you authorized, or a third-party data broker. You can contact issuers directly to remove yourself from their marketing lists.
Most large card issuers have an online privacy center or preferences page where you can manage marketing communications. Log into your account (or create one if you do not have an existing account with that issuer) and look for "Privacy Settings," "Communication Preferences," or "Marketing Preferences." You can usually uncheck boxes for mail offers, email offers, or both.
If you do not have an account with the issuer, call their customer service number — usually on their website — and ask to be placed on their "do not mail" or "do not call" list. Have your name, address, and date of birth ready. Some issuers will ask for your Social Security number; you are not required to provide it, but it may slow down the process.
You can also send a written request. Address it to the issuer's marketing department or customer service, include your name, address, and request to be removed from marketing lists, and keep a copy for your records. Certified mail is optional but creates proof of delivery if a dispute arises later.
Why you still receive offers after opting out
Opting out stops prescreened offers — unsolicited mail or calls based on your credit report. It does not stop offers sent to existing customers, offers based on public records (like property ownership), or offers from issuers not part of the NCAP system.
If you have an account with a card issuer, they can still send you offers for other products or higher credit limits, even if you have opted out. These are not prescreened offers; they are based on your account history with that company. To stop these, contact the issuer directly and ask to be removed from internal marketing lists.
Smaller issuers, credit unions, and regional banks may not participate in NCAP. If you continue receiving offers from a specific company after opting out through NCAP, contact that issuer directly.
The difference between five-year and permanent opt-outs
When you opt out through NCAP, you choose whether your opt-out lasts five years or permanently. A five-year opt-out is easier to reverse if you change your mind — you simply opt back in or wait for the five years to pass. A permanent opt-out stays in effect until you contact NCAP again to cancel it.
Most people choose permanent opt-out because they rarely want to receive prescreened offers. If you think you might want to receive offers in the future — for example, if you plan to shop for a new card in a few years — a five-year opt-out gives you a natural reset point without requiring you to remember to cancel it.
You can change your opt-out status at any time by returning to OptOutPrescreen.com, calling 1-888-567-8688, or sending a new letter to NCAP. Changes typically take effect within 30 days.
What happens to your information after you opt out
Opting out tells credit bureaus to stop selling your name to card issuers for prescreened offers. It does not delete your credit report, prevent you from being contacted if you have an existing account, or stop other types of marketing (like offers from retailers or insurance companies).
Your credit report remains available to lenders, employers, landlords, and others who have a legitimate reason to see it. Opting out only restricts how your name is used for unsolicited marketing. Your credit score is not affected.
If you want to limit how your information is shared more broadly, you can also opt out of marketing calls and texts through the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) and request that data brokers remove your information. Those are separate processes from credit card offer opt-outs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does opting out hurt my credit score?
No. Opting out of prescreened offers does not appear on your credit report and has no effect on your score. It only tells credit bureaus to stop selling your name for marketing purposes.
Can I opt out if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can opt out by mail using your name and address alone. Online and phone opt-outs require your date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, contact NCAP by mail or call 1-888-567-8688 to discuss alternatives.
How long does it take to stop receiving offers after I opt out?
Most offers stop within 30 days, but some mailings already in the pipeline may arrive after that. Permanent results usually take 60 to 90 days. If you continue receiving offers from a specific issuer after 90 days, contact that issuer directly.
What if I change my mind and want to receive offers again?
You can opt back in at OptOutPrescreen.com, by phone at 1-888-567-8688, or by mail. If you chose a five-year opt-out, you can simply wait for it to expire. Changes take effect within 30 days.
Do I need to opt out separately for each credit bureau?
No. When you opt out through NCAP, your request goes to all four major credit bureaus at once. You do not need to contact them individually for prescreened offers. However, if you want to opt out of other types of marketing from specific bureaus, you may need to contact them separately.