How To Opt Out of Giving Your Personal Information

The credit reporting agencies sell your information to creditors that are looking to make offers to the public for credit cards and loans. This information can be very specific (depending on the credit card company or lender's request to the credit reporting agency). This information can include your current debts, employment information and mortgage information.

If you are looking to apply for a loan, an increase of 10 to 20 points on your credit score can mean the difference between getting approved, a good loan or a great loan depending on your current credit score situation.

Here is what you need to do to Opt Out from the selling of your personal information;

Execute a lifetime opt out (as opposed to a 5-year). This should cut down on the number of unsolicited credit offers you receive and bring up your score at the same time.

The web site below is sponsored by the three credit reporting agencies and is secure. Use it with confidence.

Go to http://www.optoutprescreen.com

1. Select the blue bar at the bottom of the home page that says "Click Here to Opt Out."
2. On the next page, you can select a 5-year Opt Out, then select "Submit" at the bottom of the page.
3. On the next page, you need to fill in all the required fields, the security code (a series of jumbled letters), then select "Confirm."
4. If you want to do a permanent Opt Out (recommended), select "permanent" on the second page.
5. Fill in the required fields on the next page, fill in the security code, and select "Confirm."
6. On the next page, select the "Click here to Print" link. You then need to send the printed page to the address on the print-out.

You have now notified the credit reporting agencies to remove your name from their marketing lists.