If your mailbox is stuffed with pre-approved credit card offers and insurance mailers every week, you can stop almost all of them with a single phone call that takes about 2 minutes. Most people don’t know this option exists — but it’s been available for years.
Here’s the number, the steps, and why you should also address the bigger problem behind those credit offers.
The quick fix: Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) right now. That’s it. That’s the fastest actionable step in this entire guide. Keep reading for the details and the deeper fix.
How to Stop Pre-Screened Credit Offers (Step by Step)
Option 1: 5-Year Opt-Out (Phone Call — 2 Minutes)
Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). This is the official opt-out line run jointly by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and Innovis.
Follow the automated prompts. You’ll need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. The call takes about 2 minutes.
This removes you from pre-screened credit offer lists for 5 years. After 5 years, you’ll need to call again to renew.
Option 2: Permanent Opt-Out (Mail)
For permanent removal from pre-screened credit offer lists, visit OptOutPrescreen.com. You’ll need to print, sign, and mail a form. It’s more work than the phone call, but it’s permanent — no renewal needed.
The website is run by the same credit bureaus as the phone line. Both are legitimate and free.
What This Stops (And What It Doesn’t)
What it stops: Pre-screened credit card offers, pre-approved insurance offers, and other “firm offers of credit” that come from credit bureau pre-screening lists. This eliminates the bulk of credit-related junk mail.
What it doesn’t stop: Marketing mail from companies you already have a relationship with, catalog mailings, charity solicitations, and other non-credit junk mail. For those, you need to address data brokers and direct marketing lists separately.
That handles the credit offers. Now handle the bigger problem: Your address is listed on hundreds of data broker sites that feed more than just credit offers — they feed scammers, telemarketers, and identity thieves too. Run a free Optery scan to see where your address is listed right now.
Why This Matters Beyond Convenience
Stopping pre-screened credit offers isn’t just about reducing junk mail — it’s a security measure:
Mail theft is a real identity theft risk. Pre-approved credit card offers contain enough information for a thief to open an account in your name. All they need is your mail — grab the offer from your mailbox, fill it out with a different address, and they’ve got a credit card in your name that you’ll never see until the bills start arriving.
It reduces your data broker value. Credit bureaus share pre-screening lists with data brokers. Opting out reduces the amount of financial data flowing into the data broker ecosystem.
Pair it with a credit freeze for maximum protection. Opting out of pre-screened offers stops the mail. Freezing your credit stops anyone from actually opening accounts in your name. Together, they provide comprehensive protection against credit-based identity theft.
The Bigger Problem: Data Brokers Are Still Selling Your Address
Opting out of pre-screened credit offers stops one specific type of junk mail. But your address is still listed on hundreds of data broker sites, which means:
Other junk mail keeps coming. Catalog companies, direct marketers, charity solicitors, and other mailers buy your address from data brokers. Pre-screened offer opt-out doesn’t affect these sources. Full guide to stopping all junk mail →
Your address is still publicly searchable. Anyone can find your home address by searching your name on Whitepages, Spokeo, or TruePeopleSearch. Pre-screened opt-out doesn’t touch this.
Scammers still have your details. The same data brokers that supply marketing lists also supply information to scam callers, phishing operators, and identity thieves.
To address the root cause, you need to remove your information from data broker sites entirely:
Optery — Our top recommendation. Free scan to see where your address is listed. Paid plans ($39-$249/year) automate removal from 350+ data broker sites. Read our full Optery review →
Incogni — Best budget option. Covers 180+ data brokers for $6.49/month billed annually. Read our full Incogni review →
Your Complete Credit Protection Checklist
Here’s the full plan — pre-screened credit offers, credit freeze, and data broker removal together:
- Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT — stop pre-screened credit and insurance offers (2 minutes)
- Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (10 minutes, free)
- Run a free Optery scan — see where your address and personal information are listed on data broker sites
- Remove your data from broker sites using Optery or Incogni
- Register with DMAchoice.org ($4 for 10 years) to reduce direct marketing mail
Total time: about 15 minutes for steps 1-3. Total cost for steps 1-3: free. And you’ve just eliminated the vast majority of unwanted credit offers, protected against identity theft, and started cleaning up your data broker exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 1-888-5-OPT-OUT number legitimate?
Yes. It’s run by the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry and backed by all three major credit bureaus plus Innovis. You can also access the service online at OptOutPrescreen.com.
Will opting out affect my credit score?
No. Opting out of pre-screened offers has zero impact on your credit score, credit history, or ability to apply for credit. It only stops the unsolicited offers from arriving in your mail.
How long until the credit offers stop?
Most pre-screened offers stop within 1-2 weeks after calling. Some may trickle in for up to 60 days because mailers are prepared in advance. After that, you should see a significant reduction.
Can I still apply for credit cards after opting out?
Absolutely. Opting out only stops unsolicited offers. You can still apply for any credit card, loan, or insurance policy you want — you just won’t receive offers you didn’t ask for.
Should I also freeze my credit?
Yes. Opting out stops the offers from arriving. Freezing your credit stops anyone from actually opening accounts using your identity. They address different risks and should be used together.
Will this stop all junk mail?
No — only pre-screened credit and insurance offers. Other junk mail comes from data brokers and direct marketing lists. Full guide to stopping all junk mail →
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.