Choose five-year or permanent prescreen opt-out

Make the choice and note what is left

1. Open the FTC page on prescreened offers and use its link to the official opt-out service. Do not use a link or code printed on a mailer.
2. Compare the two lengths. Five years ends after a set period. Permanent has no end date but is incomplete until the signed election form is returned.
3. If you pick permanent, follow the service's instructions for getting the election form, then sign it and return it as those instructions direct.
4. Fill in the worksheet below so you can see which choice you made and whether the signed form is still outstanding.

What either choice leaves out

Both choices apply to offers based on major credit-bureau lists. Neither choice covers all advertising. A company’s own customer-list marketing and other non-bureau mail can continue. A credit card or insurance mailer is not automatically prescreened, so check the offer itself before you count it against your opt-out.

For a bank or insurer you can identify by name, including one where you are already a customer, you can ask that company directly whether it offers a mail preference. Opting out also does not stop you from applying for credit or insurance yourself.

Next step

Look at the line for the signed form on your worksheet. If it shows the form as outstanding, use the guide on finishing a permanent request before you file the worksheet away. For a named sender whose mail does not come from a bureau list, write down the company name and look for a contact route for that company.

Official sources

• OptOutPrescreen: official service and FAQs
• FTC: Prescreened Offers for Credit and Insurance