CONGRATULATIONS YOU’RE PRE-APPROVED…FOR DISASTER

If your household is like ours, you receive a number of credit card solicitation offers each month that headline the phrase: “Congratulations You’re Pre-Approved.” It’s an ID thief’s invitation to steal your identity, especially if you discard the mailing without shredding it. Even so, the number of hands this trumpeted announcement goes through can easily provide the avenue for theft. As a former member of the junk mail industry, I understand the importance of envelope “teaser” copy. That’s what it is; the company’s devious method to get you inside the mailing and sell you something. However, it is time for regulations on this methodology in keeping with the outburst of the identity crisis. As usual, the businesses won’t regulate themselves, so it is something that probably needs to be addressed by the Federal Trade Commission. Of course, that isn’t likely to happen either under this White House. In the meantime, the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows for you to opt-out of these mailings by calling (888) 567-8688 or go to OptOutPrescreen.com.