Read what a preapproved offer actually says
Read a preapproved offer as an offer with terms to check, rather than as an approval you can assume is final. Use the official prescreened-offer guidance linked below when deciding how to reduce that mail.
Check the offer before responding
- Read the offer and any prescreen notice. Look for the named lender, conditions and an official contact you can verify independently.
- Compare the advertised rate and credit limit on the front with the ranges in the fine print, which can differ from the headline figure.
- If the offer interests you, check the lender’s website directly and read the application terms before deciding whether to respond.
- For offers based on participating credit-bureau prescreen lists, use the official OptOutPrescreen route. For an identified advertiser’s own mailing list, ask that sender to stop postal promotions. Keep the two requests separate.
Check which mailing list the offer uses
Some credit and insurance offers use credit-bureau prescreen lists. Other marketing can use different sources. The wording on the front of a mailer does not, by itself, establish how the sender selected your record. Read the notice and verify the sender before choosing an opt-out route.
The FTC explains that the prescreen opt-out covers lists from the participating credit bureaus. It does not stop every credit offer, ordinary customer marketing or unrelated advertising. Keep any response to an offer separate from your request about future mail.
Use the official opt-out for prescreened offers
The FTC's guidance explains the official prescreened opt-out. A removal request through Junk Mail Magic addresses one sender's mailings and is a different step.
Official source
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