GUIDE · UPDATED 2026-07
Stop pre-approved credit and insurance offers
Those 'you're pre-approved' envelopes come from credit bureaus selling your info. One official site opts you out for five years — or permanently.
Pre-approved credit and insurance offers arrive because credit bureaus sell lists of consumers who meet certain criteria to lenders and insurers. You can stop most of these offers for free through an official opt-out program.
How the system works
When you opt out, you tell the credit bureaus not to share your information with companies making pre-approved offers. This doesn't affect your credit score or existing accounts—it simply stops one data-sharing channel that brokers and lenders rely on.
Opt out online or by mail
Five-year opt-out (online):
- Visit OptOutPrescreen, the official site jointly run by the nationwide credit bureaus
- Enter your information and confirm your choices
- Takes a few minutes and covers five years
Permanent opt-out (by mail):
- Request a form from OptOutPrescreen
- Print, sign, and mail the completed form to the address provided
- Lasts permanently (you can opt back in anytime)
What this accomplishes
Opting out reduces the volume of unsolicited mail offers and blocks one of the main ways data brokers monetize consumer information. It won't stop all marketing mail, but it eliminates a significant source.
Important notes
This opt-out is specific to prescreened offers from credit bureaus. If you're already on a company's mailing list or have done business with them, you may still receive offers from that company directly. For those, check the offer itself for an unsubscribe method or contact the company's customer service.