Step 2 - Opt out of preapproved credit offers

 

An identity thief would love to snatch you preapproved credit offer and redirect your new credit card to his wallet. Don’t let that happen. You can opt out of preapproved credit card offers. The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert that you can say "just say no" to Unsolicited Mail at their website.

Let me quote from the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

"The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for five years. Call 1-888-5- OPTOUT (567-8688) 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 is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit." 0r visit their website for more information.

"In addition, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes—an important step toward eliminating unsolicited mail. Write your own letter or use the sample letter on the back of this Alert to limit the amount of information the credit bureaus will share about you. Send your letter to each of the three major credit bureaus:

Experian 901 West Bond Lincoln, NE 68521
Attn: Consumer Services Department

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

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

 

Another option is to use a paid service like I do. Lifelock will not only get your name removed from the credit bureaus opt in list but it put a fraud alert on your account every 90 days. By clicking on my Lifelock hyperlink with the promotion code entpub you will save $1 every month while you protect your identity.

 

Sample Opt-Out Letter (Send to addresses listed above.)

Date

To whom it may concern:

I request to have my name removed from your marketing lists. Here is the information you have asked me to include in my request:

FIRST, MIDDLE & LAST NAME
(List all name variations, including Jr., Sr., etc.)

______________________________

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

PREVIOUS MAILING ADDRESS
(Fill in your previous mailing address if you have moved in the last 6 months.)

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

______________________________

DATE OF BIRTH

______________________________

Thank you for your prompt handling of my request.

______________________________
Signature

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• Step 1 – Place a fraud alert - Step 1 - to protect your identity is to place a fraud alert on your credit report
• Step 3 - Inspect Your Credit Report - The FTC has some excellent information about detecting identity theft. “Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements. If you are unable to take these steps while you are deployed, consider placing an active duty alert on your credit report.’ “Inspect: Your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts