May 10, 2006 9:48 pm US/Eastern
Opt Out Of Unsolicited Credit Card Offers
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
Every year Americans get millions of unsolicited credit card offers. They are not just a nuisance. They also come with a hidden financial risk.
Tracy Wong, of Framingham, says she gets credit offers just about every day.
"They drive me crazy," she said. "Don't they understand? I don't want the credit card."
Consumer advocates warn credit offers can include your social security number. So, anyone with an open mailbox or a trash can is a sitting duck.
"Identity thieves can go through your mail and commit identity theft," said Eric Bourassa, of Massachusetts Public Research Group.
Wong has several friends who have been victims of identity theft, so she knows how devastating it can be.
"They say it's just the scariest thing because you feel like you have completely lost control of your life," Wong explained.
But there is an easy solution. It's an 800 number offered by the three major credit bureaus. If you call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT, you can keep those bureaus from passing along your credit information to banks and credit companies.
It's almost like the "Do Not Call" list, which stopped telemarketers in their tracks.
Wong agreed to try it out for CBS4. It does take a few minutes and you will be asked to give your social security number.
"It's OK," explained Bourassa. "You're initiating the phone call so it's fine to give that information."
Wong didn't like the fact that the call took so long, but she agreed it was a good idea. "It would definitely be one less thing for me to worry about," she said.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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