Check credit-offer mail controls before deployment
An active-duty alert includes removal from credit-bureau marketing lists for two years unless you ask otherwise. Check the eligibility rules on the official fraud alerts page before placing one. The alert does not stop a bank’s own customer-list promotions or ordinary catalogs, so plan those separately.
Plan three kinds of mail
- Read the FTC credit freezes and fraud alerts page, confirm you qualify for an active-duty alert, and place it through the official route described there.
- List the banks and insurers where you already have accounts and that mail you promotions. Plan a direct request to each one, asking it to keep account mail.
- List any other catalogs and advertisers you want to contact. Choose a direct preference request or a relevant broader program according to the kind of advertising.
- Choose who will collect your mail while you are away, and agree with them on what they may handle for you.
Who sends what
Bureau marketing lists, a bank's customer records and a retailer's mailing list are separate sources. An offer that arrives during deployment from a bank where you have an account does not mean the alert failed.
If you see signs of fraud, such as an account you did not open, use the official identity-theft routes. A marketing removal request does not address fraud.
Pre-deployment checklist
Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.
Hand over the list
Give the person watching your mail your completed checklist. Ask them to set aside official notices and anything with a deadline, and to tell you about new credit offers from senders not on the list so you can decide whether to contact them.
Official sources
Choose the route that matches the mailing
Use the official route described in this guide for this kind of mail. For a separate ordinary advertisement, Junk Mail Magic can help prepare a sender-specific removal request.
Compare removal routes