I know I’m not the only one to complain about this but….
Why do I get so many credit card offers in the mail?
I get at least 2 or 3 a day. A day! And sometimes I get 2 or 3from the same company (Chase is the worst!) My full name is Elizabeth, so I get applications in 2 names and DH gets as many offers as I do. Remember the days when you had to get an application for a credit card from a store, fill it out and send it in? You only got a credit card if you made a conscious effort to get one. Those were the days!
I often thought about what would happen if I filled every single application they sent me. Of course I would never use them. But, if I did that would they finally stop sending them? How many credit cards would one company issue to me? Frankly I’m afraid to find out.
I saw a Dateline or something once where they taped together a torn up application, filled it out and sent it in. The credit card company issued a credit card on a torn up app.! I no longer tear them up, I shred them and recycle them now. I could confetti Times Square on New Year’s with all the shred I’ve made.
Why do they send so many? And how do I get them to stop? Anyone have an idea?
I think there is an opt-out website, but I’m not sure which one is the right one. Yeah, I’m sure you could Google it, but — if I were a crook looking for personal info, that would be a great way to phish for it.
We use a cross-cut shredder anymore. All the stuff we have to shred. I didn’t even think of those pre-printed order pages in the middle of catalog until a friend reminded me of those.
I’ve gotten to where I hate recieving catalogs because they give me so much I have to shred.
Rhonda-
I would LOVE to know if there was an opt-out website. It would be worth the time and all the trees I’d help save!
I didn’t know about the catalogs….. ugh!
Beth, I agree with you on how annoying all those credit card offers are. It’s much too easy to get a credit card nowadays and that’s one reason why so many people are in financial trouble. And the rates they charge are criminal. Talk about usury!
I shred lots of stuff, too. Have to look for that opt out site. Now if all the charitable organizations would stop sending me address labels… (Another pet peeve!)
Linda
OT: I think we’re friends at My Space now.
Linda
Hi my friend Linda-
I’m surprised so many charities still do that. It must be so expensive for them. Perhaps their money could be put to better use.
The most disturbing thing about this is that, if I understand the process correctly, each of these ‘invitations’ follows an automated check on your credit report. The more checks there are on our reports the worse our score is. And yes, there is an opt-out website or phone number… I know I have that info somewhere. I’ll try to find it today and post again.
~Debbie
Please do Debbie. We’re all very interested in it.
Okay… this is it…
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
The only problem I see here – and it’s a biggie – is that this site asks for your social security number. The implication on the site is that it’s connected to the three major credit agencies, so therefore, you should trust them. I’m not the most trusting person. I think a call to your accountant or bank might be a good way to confirm this site is legit. hth!
~Debbie
Thanks Debbie. I was going to check it out through Google to see if there are any blogs that have warnings against it. I too am not real eager to give out my ss# without knowing exactly who I’m giving it to and what they’re going to do with it.