Control Your Personal Data

• Under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have protections you can take advantage of to keep creditors from obtaining your personal data for marketing purposes. Take control by demanding that each credit reporting bureau (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) stop putting your personal information on their marketing lists (see Reference 1).
  
  Write a letter to each credit bureau in which you reference the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the provision that requires them to remove your name and information from their marketing lists. List the specific credit bureau by name, then in the next paragraph, list your full name (first, middle and last), your mailing address and previous mailing addresses for the past six months. Include your date of birth and Social Security number (your name could be identical to several other people on their lists). You have the option of specifying why you want your name removed from marketing lists. In the last paragraph, direct the credit bureaus to send written confirmation to you when they have removed your name from their lists. In the signature block, sign your name, print your name (if you typed the letter, type your name in full here). Include your mailing address, including your city, state and ZIP code in the signature block (see Reference 1).
  
  

Opt-Out

• Take advantage of the "opt-out" provision so you won't receive any more "pre-approved" credit offers in the mail. These offers fall more readily into your "junk mail" category and you probably line the bottom of your trash can with these offers. Make sure to shred any paper in these mailings that shows your name, address and any other personalized information.
  
  To opt out, call (888) 567-8688. You can also write to each credit bureau as in another section. Opt out online at optoutprescreen.com as well (see Reference 2).
  
  

Make Creditors Remove Their Inquiries

• If you receive one free credit report per year from each credit bureau and you notice credit inquiries you don't recognize, the creditors likely made inquiries without your authorization. Inquiries such as these can hurt your credit rating and make it difficult for you to obtain credit when you need it.
  
  You can send a demand letter, certified return receipt requested, in which you inform these creditors that you noticed their inquiries when you were checking your credit reports. Insert language that states, "I did not authorize your organization or anyone employed by your organization to make inquiries into my credit. Therefore, you are not entitled to make this inquiry." Then direct the creditor to contact the credit bureaus that they obtained your credit information from and remove their unauthorized inquiries since these inquiries are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 1681b(c). Also direct them to remove all of your personal data from their records and to send you written confirmation that they have complied with your request. Don't forget to direct these creditors to forward any documentation they believe gives them the right to make inquiries so you can verify that it came from you or that it is valid documentation.