You can opt out of credit card offers through the official credit reporting system or directly with card issuers
Credit card offers arrive because the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — sell your information to card companies. You have a legal right to stop this. The fastest route is the National Consumer information Plan (NCAP), which handles opt-outs for all three bureaus at once. You can also contact individual card issuers directly to remove yourself from their marketing lists.
Opting out does not affect your credit score or your ability to open accounts. It only stops unsolicited offers from reaching you. The process takes a few minutes and works for both mail and online offers.
Key Takeaways
- The NCAP opt-out service stops credit card offers from all three major bureaus in one step, either online or by phone.
- You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently, and the choice applies to all card issuers using that bureau's data.
- Opting out online through NCAP takes about two minutes and requires your Social Security number and date of birth.
- If you still receive offers after opting out, contact the card issuer directly or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Opting out does not lower your credit score or prevent you from opening new accounts on your own.
Opt out through the National Consumer information Plan
The NCAP is the official channel for opting out of credit card and insurance offers. It is run by the three credit bureaus themselves and is free. You can opt out online in about two minutes, or by phone if you prefer to speak with someone.
To opt out online: Go to www.optoutprescreen.com. You will see a form asking for your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You will also choose whether to opt out for five years or permanently. Permanent opt-out is the stronger choice if you never want to receive these offers again. After you submit, you will see a confirmation page. Some people print this for their records, though it is not required.
To opt out by phone: Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). A representative will walk you through the same questions and confirm your choices. The call takes about five minutes. You will receive a confirmation number.
The opt-out takes effect within about 30 days for mail offers and up to 60 days for online offers. You may still receive offers from companies you have done business with in the past — the law allows existing customers to receive marketing. Those require a separate request to stop.
Contact card issuers directly to remove yourself from their lists
Even after opting out through NCAP, you may receive offers from specific card companies. This happens when a company has your information from a previous relationship or from a data broker. You can contact them directly to be removed from their marketing list.
Find the customer service number on any offer you receive, or search the card issuer's website for "opt out" or "marketing preferences." You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, and sometimes your Social Security number. Ask to be removed from all marketing communications, including mail and email. Request written confirmation if the company offers it.
Keep a record of which companies you have contacted and when. If you receive another offer from them within a few months, you have proof of your request and can escalate the complaint.
Stop online credit card offers at your email and financial accounts
Credit card offers also come through email and online ads. Opting out through NCAP reduces these, but does not eliminate them entirely.
For email offers: Look for an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any marketing email. Click it and follow the instructions. This removes you from that company's email list. If you do not see an unsubscribe link, the email may be spam — report it to your email provider instead of replying.
For online ads: If you see credit card ads on websites or social media, most platforms let you hide or report them. On Facebook and Instagram, click the three dots on the ad and select "Hide ad" or "Why am I seeing this?" You can also adjust your ad preferences in your account settings to limit financial services ads.
At your bank or credit card portal: Log into your existing bank or credit card accounts and look for "communication preferences" or "marketing settings." You can usually turn off promotional emails and offers there. This does not stop mail offers, but it reduces the volume of digital marketing.
What to do if offers keep arriving after you opt out
If you receive credit card offers more than 60 days after opting out through NCAP, or after contacting a company directly, document what you receive. Keep the envelope or screenshot with the date it arrived.
Contact the card issuer again and reference your previous opt-out request. Explain that you have already asked to be removed and provide the date if you have it. Ask them to confirm removal in writing.
If the offers continue after a second request, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB investigates violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which governs these offers. Include copies of the offers you received and dates of your opt-out requests. The CFPB will forward your complaint to the company and track their response.
Understand what opting out does and does not do
Opting out stops unsolicited offers, but it has limits. You will still receive offers from companies you have an existing relationship with — your current bank, credit card issuer, or insurance company. The law allows them to market to current customers. To stop those, contact each company individually.
Opting out does not affect your credit score. The credit bureaus do not penalize you for removing yourself from marketing lists. It also does not prevent you from opening new accounts. If you decide later that you want a particular card, you can still explore for it directly through the company's website or in person.
Opting out is also not permanent if you choose the five-year option. After five years, you will need to opt out again if you want to continue blocking offers. If you choose permanent opt-out, it lasts until you request to be added back to the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does opting out hurt my credit score?
No. Opting out of credit card offers does not affect your credit score in any way. The credit bureaus do not report opt-outs to lenders, and opting out is not a credit event. Your score is based only on your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other factors related to how you use credit.
Will I still get offers from my current bank or credit card company?
Yes. The opt-out rules do not explore to companies you already have a relationship with. They can continue to send you offers for new products. To stop those, contact your bank or card issuer directly and ask to be removed from their marketing list.
How long does it take for the opt-out to work?
Mail offers usually stop within 30 days. Online offers can take up to 60 days. If you still receive offers after 60 days, contact the card issuer directly or file a complaint with the CFPB.
Can I opt out just for mail or just for email?
Through NCAP, you opt out of all offers — mail and online together. You cannot split them. However, you can separately unsubscribe from individual company email lists and adjust ad preferences on social media platforms.
What if I change my mind and want to receive offers again?
If you opted out for five years, you can opt back in by contacting NCAP again at www.optoutprescreen.com or 1-888-567-8688. If you chose permanent opt-out, you can request to be added back to the list the same way. The change takes effect within 30 to 60 days.