Opt out of cc company mailings FREE and save on headache medication l LOL

[mrsarkar]

OK, all, don't know if I am the only one who hates getting junk mail from all those credit card companies, so I'm posting this...

In the last junk mail from DirectMerchantsBank, they provided a hassled mrsarkar with a toll free # for a "opt Out Request Line" that would take my poor soul out of the miserable **** that the combined mailing lists of Experian, Equifax and TransUnion constitute.
The magic number, that has the power to save trees in the amazon rainforests among other things, is 1-888-567-8688

When I tried the number, a highly efficient-sounding automated system asked me my personal details. In my helplessness, I humored the demands of the system, until it asked me for my SSN. I think this tel # is legit, and I'll be only too glad to get off their lists. But why do I have to give out my SSN just because some credit reporting company (which never asked me for permission, when selling my details) feels it is doing me a favor by taking me off its list?

Anybody have any experience with this #?
I wish I had the direct human-manned tel #s for these companies, then I'd give them an earful!
Mods, feel free to edit tho I don't think there's any "swearing" in my language

[SpudsteR]

Don'T ever give out your SS# to anyone unless your absolutely sure their legit! That's how crooks can steal your identity and get credit card in your name! I would call DirectMerchantsBank and ask them if this is their service. I checked on their web site [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] and didn't find anything on them.

[jsalba]

I'm in the same place mrsarkar mentioned in her post. I'm tired of receiving dozens of credit card and other junk mail offers every week. It's completely annoying.

As for giving your social security number on that system, I probably wouldn't.

There is an address in Farmingdale, NY that you can write to, one for snail mail removal and one for telemarketer removal, where they will take your name off their lists.

Ok.. I found the telephone one if any of you are interested. I copied it from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General website:

To avoid unwanted telephone sales calls from many national marketers, send your name, address, and telephone number to:
Direct Marketing Association Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, you can request that companies put you on their "do not call" lists. If the company calls you again, you can bring an action in Small Claims Court.