Californians can block credit card solicitations

[cally]

About a year or two ago, I wrote to my bank and I think various credit agencies and requested that I not get any more solicitations for financial services. I also requested that my kids also not get any solicitations. It worked. I never get a call for services or a credit card solicitation in the mail. I used to the get 3 to 5 a week.

Here's the number to call for Californians (only California law):

If you want to avoid the allure of all those offers, removing yourself from the mailing lists is a short, toll-free phone call away. Most of the offers you receive are generated from data found on your credit reports. By calling the credit reporting industry's pre-screening opt-out number (1-800-353-0809), you can block your information from being supplied to credit card companies who use this method to solicit your business. When you call, you will be linked to an automated system - simply follow the prompts and your name will be removed from the lists for two years.

Because not all companies use this system when marketing to potential cardholders, you will likely continue to receive some "junk" mail. But it will lighten the load, and you won't have to resist all those enticing (or annoying) letters nearly as often.

http://www.balancepro.net/cueducation/optingout.html

[Zenlitened]

1. Wow. That's a great idea.

I'll have to see if there's anything similar in Massachusetts.

Yesterday -- just one day -- I received FIVE credit card offers.

Open them, take out the paper filler and put it in the recycle bin. Tear the plastic window off the envelope, toss it in the trash and put the remaining paper portion of the envelope in the recycle bin. Take the agreement form with my name and address on it and run it through the shredder. Repeat four more times. Wait for the next day's batch.

Ugh.

[Demobrat]

2. There is another easy way.

No matter where you are, just write "Refused. Return to sender." on the envelope and pop it back in the mail. The solicitations will stop. This works for those annoying sweepstakes mailers too.

[Tempest]

3. Here's another suggestion

Send the pre-paid return envelope back with shredded paper. Stuff it full.

The companies only pay postage on envelopes returned. If everyone did this, the increased cost of postage would stop the companies from sending out so many mailings.

[Zenlitened]

4. Hmmm. But my paranoia level is off the charts.

(Oops... meant this in reply to Demobrat)

With all the talk of identity theft in the air, I'd be afraid to release 'em back into the wild. Who knows where they'll actually end up.Do they really make it all the way back to corporations that sent them out?

[Tempest]

5. ???

How would they trace it back to you, or get any identity information from shredded paper?

If that's a concern, then send back flyers from the newspaper.

[Zenlitened]

6. My bad. I meant that in reply to Demobrat.

:hi:

[Tempest]

7. In that case

I agree with you.

And his way doesn't cost them anything.

My way will cost them postage.

[Demobrat]

8. All I know is it's worked for me.

And my identity hasn't been stolen yet.

[AP]

11. That doesn't work. I tried it and the P.O. said that they won't return

mail unless it's addressed to someone who doesn't live at your house (or something like that -- I can't remember the exact reason.

[FreeState]

9. Ummm call the number EDIT DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER

the message says there is a new number to call and it will cost you $3.99 to call... can you say rip-off...

BTW the number they give is 101027500 (wierd)...

Did some research... this is a number for INTERNATIONAL 411. See:

www.101027500.com

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[cally]

10. I'm sorry....I'll look up the addresses I sent letters to at work tomorrow

and post those. I apologize for misleading all. I didn't know.

I know I sent several letters and that stopped the solicitations. I'll figure it out and check before posting.

[davidinalameda]

12. if I do that

I won't get any mail

I get at least 3 of these things a week

[Joz]

13. Thanks!

Awesome, thanks! I get tons of these mails, some are completely blank white envelopes with only a very authentic looking stamp saying "Important - Do Not Discard" or "Addressee response required" or some crap like this, way deceptive and uncool.