5. Preventing Fraud and Scams

e. Opt-out

How can you make your personal information less widely available? Opt-out!  By “opting out,” you can limit access to your personal information.

• Stop receiving prescreened credit offers by calling 1-888-5OPTOUT.
• Reduce telemarketing by signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry.
• Notify each of the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes. 
• Contact your financial institution to inquire about limiting the amount of information they give out about you. You have the right to opt out of some information sharing including:
  • Affiliates: part of the same corporate group as your financial company.
  • Non-affiliates: not part of the same corporate group.
  • Records of your transactions: such as your loan payments, credit card or debit card purchases, and checking and savings account statements—to firms that provide data processing and mailing services for the company.
  • Your payment history on loans and credit cards to credit bureaus.
• Where can I get help?
  • Decline pre-screened offers by calling 1-888-567-8688.   
  • Privacy policy questions: If you have questions or concerns about a company’s privacy policy, first contact that company directly. If you still have questions about your privacy rights in dealing with a financial company, you can contact the federal or state agency that oversees that type of company.
  • The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regulates state-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System, bank holding companies, and branches of foreign banks: www.federalreserve.gov
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulates state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System: www.fdic.gov