The fastest way to stop credit card offers is to call the official opt-out number or go online to OptOutPrescreen.com
Credit card companies buy your name from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to send you offers based on your credit score and history. You have a legal right to stop this. The process takes about 15 minutes and works through a single, official channel: OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).
When you opt out, you are telling the credit bureaus to stop selling your information to credit card companies for marketing. This stops most offers within 30 days. The opt-out lasts five years if you do it online or by phone, or permanently if you mail in a signed form.
This is different from unsubscribing from a single company's mailing list. OptOutPrescreen stops the source — the credit bureaus themselves — so you do not have to contact dozens of card issuers one at a time.
Key Takeaways
- OptOutPrescreen.com is the official, legal channel to stop credit card offers; it is run by the credit bureaus themselves and costs nothing.
- Opting out online or by phone lasts five years; mailing in a signed form makes it permanent.
- You can also call individual card companies to remove yourself from their mailing lists, but this does not stop new offers from other issuers.
- Opting out does not affect your credit score or your ability to open accounts — it only stops unsolicited marketing mail.
- If offers continue after 30 days, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
How OptOutPrescreen works and what happens when you use it
OptOutPrescreen is a service created by the credit bureaus themselves to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. When you visit the site or call the number, you give your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. The system then instructs Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to remove your name from the lists they sell to credit card companies.
The opt-out is not when ready. Most people see a drop in offers within 30 days, though it can take up to 60 days for all mail to stop. You may still receive offers from companies you already do business with — banks and card issuers can mail existing customers without buying your name from the bureaus.
OptOutPrescreen is free. No legitimate version charges a fee. If you see a website or service claiming to do this for money, it is a scam.
The difference between five-year and permanent opt-out
If you opt out online at OptOutPrescreen.com or by phone, your request lasts five years. After five years, you would need to opt out again if you still do not want offers.
If you want a permanent opt-out, you can print and mail a signed form. OptOutPrescreen provides the form on their website. You sign it, mail it to the address they provide, and your opt-out lasts indefinitely. This route takes longer — typically two to three weeks by mail — but you never have to repeat it.
Most people choose the online or phone route because it is faster and five years is long enough. You can always opt back in or opt out again later if your preferences change.
Opting out of individual card companies' mailing lists
OptOutPrescreen stops offers from companies buying your name from the credit bureaus. But some card issuers also mail offers based on other data — past applications, browsing history, or lists they buy from data brokers. To stop those, you need to contact the companies directly.
Most major card issuers have an online form or phone number to remove yourself from their mailing list. You can usually find it on the back of a credit card offer or on the company's website under "Do Not Mail" or "Manage Preferences." Common issuers include Chase, Bank of America, Citi, American Express, and Discover. Calling their customer service line and asking to be removed from marketing mail also works.
This method is slower because you have to contact each company separately, but it catches offers that OptOutPrescreen does not. Many people do both: opt out through OptOutPrescreen first, then contact a few issuers they receive offers from most frequently.
What opting out does and does not do to your credit
Opting out does not lower your credit score, does not affect your ability to open new accounts, and does not change anything about your credit report. The credit bureaus still maintain your file and still allow lenders to pull your report when you explore for credit. You are only stopping the marketing mail.
If you are worried that fewer offers means fewer opportunities to build credit, that is not how it works. You can open new credit accounts whenever you want by explore directly to a bank or card company. Opting out just means you will not receive unsolicited invitations in the mail.
Some people worry that opting out signals something negative to lenders. It does not. Lenders cannot see whether you have opted out of prescreened offers — that information is not on your credit report.
What to do if offers keep coming after you opt out
If you still receive credit card offers 60 days after opting out, the offers may be coming from companies you already do business with or from data sources outside the credit bureau system. Check the offer itself — it usually says whether it is based on your credit report or on other information.
If the offer says it is based on your credit report and you opted out through OptOutPrescreen, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at ConsumerFinance.gov. Include a copy of the offer and the date you opted out. The CFPB investigates violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
You can also contact the card issuer directly and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Keep a record of the date and the name of the person you spoke with, in case you need to file a complaint later.
Other ways to reduce unwanted mail
OptOutPrescreen stops credit card offers specifically. To reduce other types of marketing mail — catalogs, insurance offers, or general advertisements — you can register with the Direct Marketing Association at DMAchoice.com. This is a separate system that tells other marketers to remove your name from their lists.
You can also call 1-888-MAIL-PREFERENCE (1-888-624-5373) to register with the Mail Preference Service, which is another opt-out registry for general marketing mail. Like OptOutPrescreen, this takes 30 to 60 days to take effect.
Neither of these stops all mail — some companies do not participate in these registries — but they reduce the volume significantly. Combined with OptOutPrescreen, they cover most unsolicited mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OptOutPrescreen.com the real official site?
Yes. OptOutPrescreen.com is the only official opt-out site for credit card offers. It is run by the credit bureaus themselves. If you see other sites offering to do this, they are either scams or they are just filling out the OptOutPrescreen form for you (which you can do for free yourself).
Can I opt out if I do not have a Social Security number?
OptOutPrescreen requires a Social Security number to process your request. If you do not have one, you can mail in the permanent opt-out form and provide alternative identification. Contact OptOutPrescreen directly for instructions.
Will opting out stop me from getting credit card offers if I explore for credit?
No. Opting out only stops unsolicited offers. When you explore for a credit card yourself, the card company will still pull your credit report and may send you an offer based on that process. Opting out does not prevent you from opening new accounts.
How long does it take to see results after I opt out?
Most people see a drop in offers within 30 days. It can take up to 60 days for all offers to stop, because mail already in the system will still arrive. If offers continue after 60 days, they may be from companies you do business with or from sources outside the credit bureau system.
Can I opt back in to prescreened offers later?
Yes. You can opt back in by calling OptOutPrescreen or visiting their website. You can also choose to opt out again at any time. Your preferences can change as often as you want.