Last reviewed: 15 October 2026

How to stop prescreened credit card and insurance offers

Short answer: you have a federal right to take your name off the credit bureau lists that lenders and insurers use for "prescreened" offers. Go to optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). An online or phone request lasts five years. To make it permanent, you also sign and mail a form (FTC, checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1]

What a prescreened offer is

The FTC explains that a creditor or insurer sets requirements, then asks a credit bureau for a list of people whose credit reports meet them (checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1] The law calls this a "firm offer of credit or insurance." Unless you've authorized it, a credit bureau can supply your information for an offer you didn't ask for only if, among other conditions, it's a firm offer and you haven't opted out (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(c)(1), checked 15 Oct 2026).^[3]

What the company gets is limited. It can receive your name and address, a non-unique identifier used to verify identity, and other information that doesn't show your history with a particular creditor (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(c)(2)).^[3]

The notice every prescreened offer must carry

Each written prescreened offer must say, clearly and conspicuously, that (15 U.S.C. § 1681m(d)(1), checked 15 Oct 2026):^[4]

• information from your credit report was used
• you were selected because you met the company's criteria
• if applicable, the offer can be withdrawn if you don't meet the criteria once you respond, or don't provide required collateral
• you have the right to stop your file being used for offers you didn't ask for, and how to use that right

The rule that sets the format, 12 CFR 1022.54, requires a short notice on the front of the first page. It must be in type larger than the main text and at least 12 point, and point you to a longer notice headed "PRESCREEN & OPT-OUT NOTICE" (checked 15 Oct 2026).^[5] If an offer carries that short notice, it's a prescreened offer, and the opt-out covers offers like it.

How to opt out, step by step

1. Choose five years or permanent. Under the statute, an election made through the bureaus' notification system lasts five years. One made with a signed notice of election form lasts until you reverse it (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e)(4)).^[3] 2. Start online or by phone. Use optoutprescreen.com or 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). The FTC says the major credit bureaus operate both (checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1] 3. Expect to give identifying details. The FTC says you'll be asked for your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth, and that the information may be used only to process your request.^[1] Use only the address and number above, which come from the FTC and CFPB pages.^[1][2] Don't respond to a call or email offering to opt you out. 4. For a permanent opt-out, mail the form. After you start the request, sign and return the Permanent Opt-Out Election form (FTC, checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1] By law, the bureau must send you the form within 5 business days if you ask for it when you start (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e)(3)(B)).^[3] 5. Allow time. By statute, the election takes effect 5 business days after you notify the bureau (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e)(4)(A)).^[3] The FTC says it may still take several weeks for the offers to stop, because some companies got your information before your request was processed.^[1]

The statute also says an election applies to each affiliate of the bureau (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e)(4)(D)).^[3]

What opting out won't stop

The FTC and CFPB both say the opt-out covers only offers based on credit bureau lists (checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1][2] You can still get:

• offers from companies you already do business with
• offers built from lists that come from other sources
• mail addressed to "occupant" or "resident," and mail from local merchants, charities and associations. The FTC says to contact each sender directly.^[1]

Should you opt out?

It depends on whether you're shopping for credit or insurance. The FTC lists reasons on both sides (checked 15 Oct 2026):^[1]

• Reasons to opt out: you aren't looking for new credit or insurance, you want to limit access to your credit report information, or you want less mail.
• Reasons not to: offers can help you compare what's available. Because you were prescreened, you'd be turned down only in limited circumstances. And some products may be offered only through prescreening, sometimes on better terms than for the general public.

Prescreening itself doesn't hurt your score. The FTC says the inquiries it leaves on your report won't hurt your credit.^[1]

Changing your mind

You can opt back in using the same website or toll-free number (FTC, checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1] The statute provides the same: an election stops applying once you notify the bureaus' system that it's no longer in effect (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e)(4)(C)).^[3]

Children

The FTC says credit bureaus don't keep files on minors. If you suspect an identity thief has used your child's information, the FTC says to send a written opt-out request to each bureau, with the documents listed on its page, and to report it at IdentityTheft.gov (checked 15 Oct 2026).^[1]

FAQ

Does opting out of prescreened offers hurt my credit score?

Prescreening itself doesn't hurt your score: the inquiries it leaves on your report won't hurt your credit.

How long does an opt-out last?

Five years if you opt out online or by phone only. Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(e), it lasts until you reverse it if you also send the signed election form.

Will opting out stop all credit card mail?

No. The FTC and CFPB say it only stops offers based on credit bureau lists. Companies you already do business with, and lists from other sources, aren't covered.

Can I opt back in?

Yes. The FTC says you can opt back in through the same website or toll-free number.

References

1. [1] FTC, What To Know About Prescreened Offers for Credit and Insurance (checked 15 Oct 2026). https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-prescreened-offers-credit-and-insurance
2. [2] CFPB, Can I make issuers stop sending me credit card offers in the mail? (CFPB last reviewed 22 Jan 2024; checked 15 Oct 2026). https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/can-i-make-issuers-stop-sending-me-credit-card-offers-in-the-mail-en-1377/
3. [3] 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(c) and (e), FCRA § 604 (govinfo; checked 15 Oct 2026). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681b.htm
4. [4] 15 U.S.C. § 1681m(d), FCRA § 615 (govinfo; checked 15 Oct 2026). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681m.htm
5. [5] 12 CFR 1022.54, prescreen opt-out notice (eCFR; checked 15 Oct 2026). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1022/subpart-F/section-1022.54