Junk Mail Magic

Do you need an SSN to opt out of prescreened offers?

No. OptOutPrescreen’s official FAQ says a Social Security number or ITIN is not required to process an opt-out through its site. The service encourages providing it because it helps match the request to a credit file. Decide whether to provide that optional identifier only on the official service.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Review the fields first

  1. Open the official opt-out service using the link on the FTC page about prescreened offers.
  2. Read the site’s Security FAQ about Social Security numbers and ITINs. It explains the optional field and why the service requests it.
  3. Review the other requested information and the service’s explanation before proceeding. If anything differs from what the FAQ describes or you are unsure, use its own contact route for help.
  4. If you continue, enter your details directly into the official form. Use the worksheet below to note only what you chose and the date.

When the concern is fraud rather than mail

The practical tradeoff is matching: leaving out an optional number can make it harder for the service to locate the correct file. Do not treat an optional field as a guarantee that a request will match successfully without it. Keep any confirmation or question with your private records.

This is a marketing preference, not an identity-theft remedy. If you suspect misuse of your information, use the FTC’s identity-theft guidance for that separate concern. There is no reason to put an SSN or ITIN into the worksheet below.

Field review worksheet (record no ID numbers)

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Field label: [label] | Required or optional: [as shown on screen] Field label: [label] | Required or optional: [as shown on screen] Field label: [label] | Required or optional: [as shown on screen] Fields that need an explanation: [labels] Explanation found: [yes / no / contacted service] Decision: [continue / stop / ask a named sender directly] Date submitted: [date]

Before you submit

Check that your worksheet shows field labels and your decisions, with no Social Security number or other identity numbers on it. If you chose permanent, move on to returning the signed election form.

Official sources

Choose five-year or permanent prescreen opt-outFinish a permanent prescreen request you started onlineReach the prescreen opt-out without using a mailer QR codeCompare a credit freeze with a prescreen opt-outReview prescreen mail that still uses an old addressCredit-offer controlsAll practical mail guides

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