OptOutPrescreen: How to Stop Prescreened Credit Offers
Pre-approved card and insurance offers come from your credit file. One official opt-out stops most of them, and it also cuts a common source of mail fraud.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 18, 2026Visit OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688 to stop prescreened credit and insurance offers for five years. For a permanent opt-out, start the same way, then sign and mail the Permanent Opt-Out Election form. Requests are processed within five days, but offers can keep arriving for a few weeks. This is the official service run for the credit bureaus.
Before you start opt-outs, see which known data breaches already include your email.
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Prescreened offers, often marked pre-approved, happen when a lender or insurer asks a credit bureau for a list of people whose credit reports meet its criteria. You then get letters with offers. Besides the clutter, those letters can be stolen from your mailbox and used to apply for credit in your name.
The Federal Trade Commission explains that prescreening does not lower your credit score, though the inquiries appear on your report.
How to opt out
1Five-year opt-out
Go to OptOutPrescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688. This stops prescreened offers for five years.
2Permanent opt-out
Start the same way online or by phone, then print, sign and mail the Permanent Opt-Out Election form.
3Give the details requested
The site asks for your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. The FTC says this is used only to process your request.
4Allow a few weeks
Requests are processed within five days, but offers may continue for several weeks because some companies got your details before your request.
Removal is one half of the job. Check whether your email has leaked as well.
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Why it is worth doing
- Fewer letters that thieves can use to open accounts in your name.
- Less of your credit profile shared for marketing.
- Less paper to shred.
You can opt back in any time using the same website or phone number.
What it does not stop
The FTC says opting out does not stop mail from local merchants, charities or companies you already do business with, or mail addressed to Occupant or Resident. Contact those senders directly.
How prescreened offers can be misused
A prescreened offer letter often contains your name, your address and an invitation to apply quickly. If someone takes it from your mailbox or recycling, they may try to apply in your name and redirect the card. That is one reason the FTC and consumer groups list opting out as a basic identity theft step, and why shredding offers you do not want is still a good habit.
Opting back in later
If you are about to shop for a mortgage or credit card and want to see offers again, you can opt back in at OptOutPrescreen.com or 1-888-567-8688. You can opt out again afterwards.
How this fits with other credit steps
Opting out of prescreened offers is a small, useful step, but it is not protection on its own. It reduces offers sent to you. It does not stop someone applying for credit in your name. A credit freeze does that, and free weekly credit reports help you spot anything that slips through. For a full plan, read how to prevent identity theft.
Is it the same as a credit freeze?
No. Opting out stops lenders using your credit file for marketing lists. A credit freeze stops lenders opening new accounts in your name. You can do both, and they do not interfere with each other.
Other opt-outs that pair well
1DMAchoice for marketing mail
The FTC says DMAchoice.org lets you limit most promotional mail for 10 years, for a $6 processing fee.
2Do Not Call for phone sales
Register free with the National Do Not Call Registry.
3A credit freeze for stronger protection
Opting out reduces offers. A credit freeze stops new credit being opened in your name.
Opting out also fits into a wider effort to reduce how much of your data circulates. See what data brokers are and how to opt out of data brokers yourself.
Sources
- FTC: Prescreened credit and insurance offers (OptOutPrescreen, five-year and permanent opt-out, info requested, timing, DMAchoice, Do Not Call)
Frequently asked questions
Is OptOutPrescreen.com legitimate?
Yes. The FTC directs people to OptOutPrescreen.com and 1-888-567-8688 to opt out of prescreened offers.
Why does it ask for my Social Security number?
To match your request to your credit file. The FTC says the information is used only to process the request.
How long does the opt-out last?
Five years online or by phone. For permanent, mail the signed Permanent Opt-Out Election form.
Will opting out hurt my credit score?
No. Prescreening does not lower your score, and opting out does not either.
Why am I still getting offers?
Some companies had your details before your request. Offers can continue for several weeks.
See if your email has already leaked
- Checks your email against known data breaches
- Shows which sites leaked it, when, and what leaked
- We do not store the email you check
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