Credit Cards and Privacy Matters

How To Stop:

Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers

To stop getting pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, call the credit bureaus and tell them you want to "Opt Out" of prescreening offers. Your name will be removed from prescreening lists. You can opt out for two years or permanently. For instructions, call the Opt Out Request Line at 888-567-8688.

Junk Mail

To remove your name from direct marketing mailing list, better known as ''junk mail," write a letter giving your complete name, name variations and mailing address to:

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735
 

Unsolicited Telephone Calls

To remove your name from telephone solicitation lists, send your complete name, address and phone number with area code to:

Telephone Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Credit Reports

Costs of Credit Reports Do Not Rise

Each year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), sets the maximum allowable charge that credit reporting agencies can charge consumers to get a copy of their credit report. For 2003, the maximum charge allowed will be $9.00 (excluding state taxes). The 1996 amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act directs the FTC to make this yearly change. The change in price is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). I'ts a good idea to check your credit report yearly, for accuracy. To get a copy of your credit report, contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies.

Order a copy of your credit report each year from one of the major credit reporting bureaus. If incorrect information is in your file, take the necessary steps to correct it.

Experian Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
Telephone: 888-397-3742 E-mail-http://www.experian.com

Equifax Information Service Center
Attention: Consumer Department
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
Telephone: 800/685-1111 E-mail-http://www.credit.equifax.com

Trans Union
National Consumer Disclosure Center
PO Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
Telephone: 800/888-4213 or 800/916-8800

Credit Bureau Websites

Experian: http://www.experian.com/
Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/
Trans Union: http://www.transunion.com/
 

Protecting Your Privacy

Medical Information Bureau (MIB)
PO Box 105
Essex Station
Boston, MA 02112
617/426-3660
http://www.mib.com
Stores medical history information used by the insurance industry. Copies of your medical history, if there is one, are about $8.