According to research firm Comperemedia, Americans received 1.2 billion mail offers for new credit cards in the third quart of 2010 and shows even more positive signs of resurgence in credit cards. The expanded effort by credit card companies include invitations to open a new account or transfer a balance from an account with a competitor by offering a low or zero rate APR.
If you’re one of the people with good-to-excellent credit who have been deluged with credit card offers, don’t miss out on the opportunity to lower your interest rate with a new or transferred offer. In, addition, there are some important things to know to protect your identity or to stop the persistent appeals, if you find them a nuisance.
So you may be wondering how all these companies got your address. Unsolicited mail finds its way to your mailbox when an institution, charity or company you’ve done business with uses a mailing list provided by organizations you’ve joined, magazine you’ve subscribed to, charities you’ve contributed to or from one of the three credit reporting agencies. These data bases make are targeted to reach the right demographic of people who meet their specific marketing needs.
Protect Your Identity from Theft
Dumpster divers are crooks who sift through the trash looking for account information. Identity and credit card thieves can use intact credit card mail they find in your trash to steal. By stealing your discarded information they could potentially have access to your social security number (off medical records), bank account numbers and other personal information. Shred all credit card receipts after you have verified them with your monthly statement. Also, be sure to shred all credit card applications you receive, regardless of whether you invited the contact. Protect yourself by shredding any unwanted cash advance checks and new card offers you get in the mail.
How to Stop the Mail Madness
The only way to make a noticeable dent in unwanted mail is by getting your name removed from the mailing lists. Here’s what you can do to stop not only credit card solicitations but other unwanted mail, as well:
- The National Do Not Mail List is a free online service provided by DirectMail.com; fill out the form and choose which types of mail you would like to continue to receive or select ‘none’, if you want no unsolicited mail sent your way. With an understanding of direct marketing, mail-order companies will access the Direct Mail database to update the mail preferences of consumers who are listed here.
- The DMAchoice™ is an online tool created by the Direct Marketing Association, to help you get more of the mail you want and represents nearly 3,600 organizations. Register to have your name removed from any of the member companies from four categories: credit offers, catalogs, magazine offers and other mail offers. Any choices you make will be effective for five years. Contact them: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P. O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Include your complete name, full address, Social Security number, and signature.
- For fewer commercial emails, sign up for the Email Preference Service (eMPS) to remove your email from national lists.
Marketing Lists of Credit Reporting Bureaus
Contact the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Trans Union and Experian, and request that your name be removed from all mailing lists. Or make an even easier option is to call just one number to permanently opt out of all three bureaus – 1.888.567.8688.
Opt Out of Credit Card Offers
Contact your current credit card companies and other creditors and request to be removed from their mailing lists. You can also fill out the form online www.optoutprescreen.com to stop all credit offers sent to you by mail.
Be patient after enrolling in these programs. It may take up to three months before you notice a significant reduction in the amount of direct mail you receive. If you change your mind later and wish to receive marketing mail, just login and submit the changes.
About The Author:
Noreen Ruth writes for ASAP’s credit card blog and several popular finance websites. She is interested in educating consumers about using credit responsibly and about legislative action that will affect their ability to borrow the money they need. She has contributed hundreds of articles to various online sites that provide content to educate consumers on how to compare credit card offers, understand debt relief services, loans and other finance related topics.
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Last update on 2020-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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