Adults in the United States commonly receive dozens of credit card offers in the mail every year, most of which end up in the trash. People who would prefer to not get these can opt out of receiving pre-screened credit card offers. This action has no direct effect on the individual's credit score.
Direct Effects
Opting out of receiving pre-screened credit offers does not impact your credit score at all. Although the companies sending these offers pull your credit report and appear in the "inquiries" section of the report, these are categorized as soft inquiries. A soft inquiry is one that was not initiated in response to your application for credit. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score at all. Therefore, stopping the soft inquiries will not improve your credit score.
Indirect Effects
Opting out might indirectly affect your credit score if you apply for credit you do not need just because you are receiving offers in the mail. Each time you submit an application for a credit card, this creates a hard inquiry that lowers your credit score slightly. In addition, opening a new credit account hurts your credit score as well. In this sense, opting out can improve your credit score indirectly by removing the temptation to get more unnecessary credit cards.
Other Considerations
When you receive pre-screened credit card offers in the mail, this puts you slightly at risk for identity theft. This is because someone could steal your mail and apply for one of the credit cards in your name. This can damage your credit score until you notice the identity theft, at which time you can repair your credit, although it can take some time and effort. Receiving pre-screened credit card offers can have some benefits, namely that some of the best credit card promotional offers are only available to people who choose to receive pre-screened offers. If you are in the market for credit, receiving these offers can help you choose the best card.
How to Opt Out
The only official method for opting out of pre-screened credit card offers is to use the Opt Out Prescreen service. Opting out through the website stops all credit offers for five years. You can also opt out for five years by calling 888-567-8688. If you would like to permanently opt out, you will need to print the form from the website and mail it to Opt Out Prescreen.
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