The Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 (and amended in 1990) gives the credit bureaus permission to sell your credit history information to credit lending companies. In order to keep it fair for the consumers, however, the amendment of 1990 allows for consumers to OPT OUT of receiving these offers.

To Opt-Out, you can either opt-out online by visiting http://www.OptOutPrescreen.com and fill out a formal request, or call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). This should stop all pre-screened credit card mailings from the main four credit bureaus for a period of two years. When you call, you’ll be asked for personal information, including your home telephone number, your name, and your Social Security number. The information you provide will be confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit.

You can also notify each of the three major credit bureaus individually that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes. You will have to provide your Full Name, Current and Previous Address (if moved in the last 6 months), Social Security Number and Date of Birth. Send your request to each of the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax, Inc.
Options
PO Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Experian
Consumer Opt-Out
701 Experian Parkway
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094