Prevent ID Theft

Although this is more of a Matt post I am sharing this info due to concerns about identity theft. One source of id theft comes from the bad guys intercepting pre-screened offers received from credit card companies. They'll get a hold of one of these offers and fill out the info and submit the application and then they have a credit card in your name. Not good. Sacramento Bee's financial page advised contacting optoutprescreen.com to remove yourself from the pre-screened credit list. The info below was taken directly from their website. The process took only a few minutes and you have the option to opt out for five years or life and you can opt back in at any time.
Check it out.
http://www.optoutprescreen.com/

The is from the "about us" section of the website:
OptOutPrescreen.com is a centralized service to accept and process requests from consumers to "Opt-In" or “Opt-Out” of firm offers of credit or insurance. OptOutPrescreen.com is a joint venture among Equifax Information Services, LLC, Experian Information Solutions, Inc., Innovis Data Solutions, Inc., and TransUnion, LLC (collectively the "Consumer Credit Reporting Companies").

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance. The FCRA also allows you the ability to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you. If you want to remove your name from lists supplied by the four Consumer Credit Reporting Companies listed above for firm offers of credit or insurance, you will need to provide your personal information on the “Click Here to Opt-In or Opt-Out” link. Once you provide your information through this secure website, your name will be removed from inclusion on firm offer lists provided by all four companies. If you have previously completed a request to Opt-Out from receiving firm offers and would like to Opt-In, you may also complete your request on this website. The personal information you provide is confidential and will only be used to process your request. You can also complete this process via phone by dialing 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688).

OptOutPrescreen.com is the only internet website authorized by Equifax, Experian, Innovis and TransUnion for this purpose under the FCRA. Please note that, as a security precaution, consumers should never provide their personal information to any other company or person in connection with requesting Opt-In or Opt-Out services. OptOutPrescreen.com will not contact consumers via email, telemarketing or direct mail solicitations.
Equifax
Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) is a global leader in turning information into intelligence. Equifax companies provide faster and easier ways to find, approve and market to the right customers. For consumers, Equifax companies offer easier instantaneous ways to buy products or services, and better insight into and management of their personal credit. Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax reported annual revenue of over $1.2 billion in 2004, and employs over 4,500 employees in 12 countries in North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax. Information That Empowers.

For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.
Experian
Experian is a global leader in providing information solutions to organizations and consumers. It helps organizations find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships by providing information, decision-making solutions and processing services. It empowers consumers to understand, manage and protect their personal information and assets. Experian works with more than 50,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce, property and government. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, California. Its 12,000 people in 26 countries support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.5 billion.

For more information, please visit www.experian.com.

Innovis
Since 1989, Innovis Data Solutions has been a consumer credit information repository that collects consumer credit data from credit grantors throughout the United States. The company is committed to protecting the privacy of consumers and preserving the quality, accuracy and integrity of consumer information.

Innovis provides information to credit grantors to assist in marketing, verification, authentication and fraud prevention. It is important to note that Innovis is not currently involved in providing services that can result in the denial of applications for credit, insurance or employment.

For more information, please visit www.innovis.com.

TransUnion
TransUnion is a leading global information solutions company that customers trust as a business intelligence partner and commerce facilitator. TransUnion offers a broad range of financial products and services that enable customers to manage risk and capitalize on market opportunities. The company uses leading-edge technology coupled with extensive analytical capabilities to combat fraud and facilitate credit transactions between businesses and consumers across multiple markets. Founded in 1968, Chicago-based TransUnion employs 4,100 associates that support clients in 29 countries.

For more information, please visit www.transunion.com.

The trademarks, service marks and logos (the "Trademarks") used in this website are registered and unregistered Trademarks. The Trademarks belong to Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion, Opt Out Services LLC and/or their respective owners. The Trademark owner has exclusive rights to the Trademarks. Any unauthorized use of the Trademarks is strictly prohibited. You may not display or use the Trademarks for any purpose without the written permission of Trademark owner.