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Credit Report Opt Out

Credit Report Opt Out

How to Opt Out of Marketing Triggered by Credit Inquiries

We recently learned that some members receive many marketing solicitations after pulling their credit report. The four major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and Transunion, have made purchasing your credit inquiry data much easier. It is important to note that credit inquiry data is NOT the same as your credit report.

San Luis Valley Federal Bank nor any other bank or finance company control solicitations you may receive from other companies. However, we can help you reduce the amount you receive by opting out of the official Consumer Credit Report list.

Want to learn the basics of credit reports?

 

What is the difference between a credit report and a credit inquiry:

Credit Report

Every major credit bureau has created credit profiles for nearly every U.S. citizen. The credit bureaus’ business model is to collect, maintain, and sell this information to prospective companies looking for new lending opportunities. The credit bureaus’ look at your financial habits such as payment history, balances, age of accounts, date of last activity, credit limits, debt collections, and bankruptcies. This information is monitored over time and combined into a credit report. These credit reports are used to get a sense of your creditworthiness.

Credit reports are a complex topic. If you would like to learn more about them, read this article from Experian:

Read Article: What is a credit report?

Credit Inquiries

There are two types of credit inquiries: hard inquiries and soft inquiries.

  • Hard inquiries can impact your credit rating or credit score. Companies typically request them after you’ve applied for a loan or credit. These hard inquiries are what trigger solicitations from other companies.

  • Soft inquiries will not impact your credit rating or credit score. These are usually requested by companies offering promotions, existing creditors doing periodic reviews, or by you monitoring your own credit.

To learn even more about inquiries read this article by Experian:

Read Article: Hard vs soft inquiries

Why does this mean I'll be sent more marketing solicitations?

The four major credit bureaus sell the credit inquiry data as a marketing list. Other companies can purchase this data and watch for new “trigger events” to send you solicitations related to the recent credit inquiry. For example, a hard inquiry will register on your credit report when you apply for a mortgage loan. Other companies see this trigger event and then send you the marketing solicitations.

In short, when you allow your credit report to be pulled for a new loan, you may receive a higher volume of marketing solicitation related to the credit application.

What are the benefits?

There are some advantages to being on the Credit Bureaus’ credit inquiry marketing list:

  • You may receive special credit offers relevant to the inquiry that may also not be available to the general public.

  • It can help you compare the different offers from all companies to help you get the best deal.

How to opt out:

If you wish to opt out of the official Consumer Credit Report list or to learn more, visit the official and secure website: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/. We have noticed that the website’s form sometimes does not load; if you have problems submitting your request through the website, try again later, or call their toll-free number: 1-888-567-8688.

To opt out, you need to submit the following information:

  • Name

  • Address

  • Social Security Number

  • Date of Birth

Once your request is received, it will take up to 5 days to be processed. Opting out of the credit inquiry marketing list will not impact your credit score or your ability to apply for credit or insurance.

You may also visit the FTC Consumer’s website for additional information.

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