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I just went through this stuff after an identity theft incident. While locking my Equifax file, I learned something surprising: Locking your Equifax credit rep

I just went through this stuff after an identity theft incident. While locking my Equifax file, I learned something surprising: Locking your Equifax credit report prevents access by potential creditors and lenders, but there are exceptions. ... Companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you ... Equifax maintains consumers’ credit reports and provides information to certain customers, including credit card companies and lenders, so that they may offer pre-approved offers to consumers as permitted by law. Consumers that prefer not to receive such offers should visit www.optoutprescreen.com, or call toll free at 888-5-OPT OUT (or 888-567-8688). So I'd really encourage everyone to do that opt out thing, too.

r00fus 9y ago
Read a different thread here - an Equifax "lock" isn't the same as a credit freeze.
- JoshuaEN 9y ago
  Just to be clear, a credit freeze does not stop prescreened credit offers either [0]. [0] https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#offers https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faq...
bogomipz 9y ago
Wow, I hadn't heard this. I am curious how you stumbled upon this fact?
- jrnichols 9y ago
  the opt out pre screen system? I ran across it years ago on lifehacker or something. signed up, jumped through their hoops, and the amount of junk mail I receive has dropped to almost none. I need to get the fiance to do the same thing, because after buying the house, she's getting 20+ credit card offers/etc per week. it's ridiculous how much of it masquerades itself as legitimate business mail too. mixed in with the medical bills.
  - bogomipz 9y ago
    Interesting yes there is also "National Do Not Mail List" which is maintained but the Direct Marketers Association.[1] However the US post office also sells your address when you fill out a change of address form. This is why all those new home services offers start showing up. And there is no way to opt out of this. See: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-post-office-sells-your-new-address-with-anyone-who-pays-and-the-little-known-loophole-to-opt-out/#4b6c3ef539f3 https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-p... [1] https://dmachoice.thedma.org/ https://dmachoice.thedma.org/

r00fus 9y ago

Read a different thread here - an Equifax "lock" isn't the same as a credit freeze.

JoshuaEN 9y ago
Just to be clear, a credit freeze does not stop prescreened credit offers either [0]. [0] https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs#offers https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faq...

bogomipz 9y ago

Wow, I hadn't heard this. I am curious how you stumbled upon this fact?

jrnichols 9y ago
the opt out pre screen system? I ran across it years ago on lifehacker or something. signed up, jumped through their hoops, and the amount of junk mail I receive has dropped to almost none. I need to get the fiance to do the same thing, because after buying the house, she's getting 20+ credit card offers/etc per week. it's ridiculous how much of it masquerades itself as legitimate business mail too. mixed in with the medical bills.
- bogomipz 9y ago
  Interesting yes there is also "National Do Not Mail List" which is maintained but the Direct Marketers Association.[1] However the US post office also sells your address when you fill out a change of address form. This is why all those new home services offers start showing up. And there is no way to opt out of this. See: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-post-office-sells-your-new-address-with-anyone-who-pays-and-the-little-known-loophole-to-opt-out/#4b6c3ef539f3 https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-p... [1] https://dmachoice.thedma.org/ https://dmachoice.thedma.org/