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posheak · Nov 20, 2006, 01:03 PM

On the Today show, Jean Chatzky was on talking about how identity thieves have been dumpster diving to get the pre-approved credit card offers that companies mail out to people, unsolicited.

People usually just rip them up and toss them out. A reporter ran a test where they ripped up the applications, then taped them back together and mailed them to the credit card companies. Amazingly, many companies (including BofA) actually issued the credit cards, and some even accepted "change of address" information on these messy ripped-and-re-pasted things!

This is what Jean recommended:
1. SHRED: Don't just rip up the applications. Shred them.
2. OPT OUT: You can call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT and register your information. Then, by law the companies have to stop sending you the pre-approved credit apps.

Hope this helps:)

mr.yet · Nov 20, 2006, 01:49 PM

Simply mark them "return to sender, refused for cause", un-opened, they will have to pay the postage for the return mail. You will be remove from their list.

CaptainForest · Nov 20, 2006, 11:58 PM

Mr. Yet's idea is a good one.

Another option is to shred them.

Dwight_Pigg · Nov 28, 2006, 01:00 PM

I went to www.optoutprescreen.com and opted out. The offers stopped coming. I also noticed that my credit score went up about 20 points!
I have recommended this to clients and they have experienced an increase in credit scores as well.

NeedKarma · Nov 28, 2006, 01:15 PM

I don't know about the site above but they ask for your SSN so I would be very careful.

Dwight_Pigg · Nov 28, 2006, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

I don't know about the site above but they ask for your SSN so I would be very careful.

I have checked them out. They are legit. It is part of the Fair Crdit Reporting Act. You have to give your SSN on the 800 number too. It is the only way that the credit bureaus can identify your account.

NeedKarma · Nov 28, 2006, 07:20 PM

Excellent. Thanks for doing the homework that will eventually help others.

andrewcocke · Dec 17, 2006, 08:06 PM

I also recommend a PO box.

Don't do like I did and wait until AFTER the neighborhood crack heads start going through your mail box and rip your credit card number. At $40 per year, how can you go wrong?

Also don't forget to put in a change of address at the post office and update bank accounts to relect the PO box. The credit reporting agencies pick up on the PO box, next thing you know, the junk mail shows up there instead of the regular box.