Prescreened credit card offers are a disaster waiting to happen when you consider identity theft. Whether you are considering bankruptcy, or if you have already filed for bankruptcy, protecting yourself from identity theft is always a good idea. Identity theft can take a long time to recover from and nobody wants the headache involved with getting your credit straightened out. In her book, Bounce Back From Bankruptcy, Paula Langguth Ryan discusses a method for being proactive regarding protecting your identity.
Ryan says:
“That’s why I encourage you to opt out of pre-approved or pre-screened credit or insurance offers, which can carry the greatest risk for identity theft. You have two different options for doing this. You can immediately opt-out for five years online or via telephone. Once you’ve completed that step, you can then opt-out permanently via mail if you want.
You must mail in the form they ask you to print out to permanently opt out and stop receiving unsolicited (junk!) mail from creditors, insurance companies and even mortgage issuers who buy mailing lists. When you are done, a page will pop up for you to print out and mail in. Your name will then be permanently removed from the mailing lists that Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion provide to businesses who are looking to offer you credit or insurance.”
Also, if you would rather use a phone, you can call 1-888-567-8688. You have to make sure to ask for the form to be sent to you if you want to opt out permanently. You’ll have to mail that form, in order to opt out permanently. Anyway, don’t be afraid that you won’t find the best credit cards. There are several websites dedicated to showing consumers what the best credit card offers are. With a little research you will be able to find the best credit card for your situation.
At any rate, if you are having any financial issues, or if you need help getting things in order after bankruptcy, call a Dallas bankruptcy attorney. They will be able to give you expert advice regarding your credit, identity theft, and bouncing back quickly after bankruptcy.