You can stop most credit card offers by opting out with the credit bureaus, calling card issuers directly, or adjusting your online privacy settings

Credit card offers arrive because the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — sell your information to card companies. You have a legal right to stop this. The fastest method is to opt out through the official credit reporting industry website, which takes about 15 minutes and covers most issuers. You can also call individual card companies to remove yourself from their lists, or adjust settings on websites where you shop or bank online.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you want to stop mail offers, email offers, or both. Some methods work when ready; others take up to 30 days. If you continue receiving offers after opting out, you have options to report it.

Key Takeaways

  • The official opt-out website OptOutPrescreen.com, run by the credit bureaus themselves, stops prescreened mail and phone offers from most major issuers within one to three weeks.
  • Opting out online is permanent unless you change your mind and opt back in, so you will not need to repeat the process every year.
  • Email and online offers come from companies where you already have an account or have shopped, and require separate opt-out steps on those specific websites.
  • Calling card issuers directly to request removal from their marketing lists works but only stops that one company's offers.
  • If offers continue after you opt out, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or your state's attorney general.

Opt out of prescreened mail and phone offers through OptOutPrescreen.com

The credit bureaus operate a single official opt-out system called OptOutPrescreen.com. This is the most direct route because card companies buy prescreened lists from this system — people whose credit scores and history match their target customer. When you opt out here, you tell the bureaus to stop selling your information for prescreened offers.

Visit OptOutPrescreen.com and choose either a permanent opt-out or a five-year opt-out. Permanent means the request stays in effect until you ask to opt back in. Five-year means you will need to repeat it after five years if you want to stay opted out. Most people choose permanent. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The site is find and run by the credit bureaus themselves, not a third party.

After you submit, the bureaus send your opt-out request to participating card issuers. This typically takes one to three weeks. You should see a sharp drop in prescreened credit card mail during that time. The opt-out does not remove you from offers based on existing relationships — if you bank with Chase, Chase can still mail you offers — but it stops the bulk of unsolicited prescreened mail.

Call card issuers directly to remove yourself from their marketing lists

If you want to stop offers from a specific card company, call their customer service number and ask to be placed on their internal do-not-mail list. This works even if you do not have an account with them. You will need to provide your name, address, and sometimes your phone number or email.

The downside is that you have to call each company separately. If you receive offers from five different issuers, you make five calls. The upside is that it is when ready — some companies remove you from their list within 24 hours. Keep a record of the date you called, the company name, and the representative's name in case you need to follow up.

This method is useful if you have already opted out through OptOutPrescreen but still receive mail from one particular issuer, or if you want to stop offers from a company that does not participate in the prescreened opt-out system.

Unsubscribe from email offers on the sender's website

Email offers come from companies where you have an account or have made a purchase. Banks, credit card issuers, and retailers all send marketing emails to addresses they have on file. The unsubscribe link is usually at the bottom of the email in small text.

Click the unsubscribe link and follow the prompts. Most companies remove you within one to two business days. If you receive another email from the same sender after that, you can report it as spam or file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you cannot find an unsubscribe link, look for a "Manage Preferences" or "Email Settings" link instead. Some companies let you choose which types of emails you receive rather than unsubscribing entirely — you might keep account alerts but turn off promotional emails.

Adjust privacy and marketing settings on bank and shopping websites

If you have an online account with a bank, credit card company, or retailer, log in and look for Account Settings, Privacy Settings, or Preferences. Most sites have a section where you can control whether they send you marketing emails or allow third parties to contact you.

On your bank's website, this is often under "Communication Preferences" or "Email Settings." On shopping sites like Amazon or Target, it may be under "Your Account" or "Notifications." Uncheck the boxes for promotional emails or third-party marketing, then save your changes. This stops that company from sending you offers and from selling your contact information to other marketers.

These settings do not affect prescreened mail offers — they only control communications from the company itself. You still need to opt out through OptOutPrescreen.com to stop mail offers from companies you do not have a direct relationship with.

Register with the National Do Not Call Registry to stop phone offers

If you receive unsolicited calls about credit card offers, you can register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. This tells telemarketers they cannot call you about products or services.

The registry takes effect within 31 days. After that, if a credit card company calls you about an offer, you can file a complaint on the same website. Note that this does not stop calls from companies you already do business with or from charities and political organizations.

Combining the Do Not Call Registry with OptOutPrescreen.com covers most unsolicited contact — mail, email, and phone.

What to do if offers continue after you opt out

If you have opted out through OptOutPrescreen.com and still receive prescreened mail offers after 30 days, the company may not be participating in the system or may not have processed your request. Call the company directly and ask to speak with someone in their compliance or legal department. Explain that you opted out through the official system and ask them to confirm your request was received.

If a company continues to send offers after you have called them directly and asked to be removed, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or with your state's attorney general. Include the dates you opted out or called, the company name, and copies of the offers you received. The FTC investigates patterns of violations and can take action against companies that ignore opt-out requests.

For email offers, if unsubscribing does not work, mark the email as spam in your email provider. Most providers learn from this and filter future emails from that sender automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does opting out through OptOutPrescreen.com stop all credit card offers?

No. It stops prescreened offers from companies that buy lists from the credit bureaus. It does not stop offers from companies you already have a relationship with, like your current bank or a store where you have a credit card. You have to contact those companies separately or adjust your account settings with them.

How long does it take to see results after I opt out?

OptOutPrescreen.com typically takes one to three weeks. Direct calls to card companies can work within 24 hours. Email unsubscribes usually take one to two business days. If you do not see a change after 30 days, follow up with the company or file a complaint.

If I opt out, can I opt back in later?

Yes. If you chose permanent opt-out on OptOutPrescreen.com, you can return to the site and opt back in at any time. If you chose five-year opt-out, you will need to opt in again after five years if you want to receive prescreened offers. You can also call individual companies to ask them to add you back to their marketing lists.

Will opting out hurt my credit score?

No. Opting out of offers does not affect your credit score or your ability to get credit. It only stops unsolicited marketing mail and calls. Your credit history and payment record remain unchanged.

What if I want to receive offers from one company but not others?

Opt out through OptOutPrescreen.com to stop prescreened offers from most companies, then call the one company you want to hear from and ask them to add you back to their marketing list. Or skip the opt-out and call each company you do not want to hear from individually.