How do I "opt back in" the DMA?

[SevenYearItch]

http://www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html

Excerpt: "You may register with the MPS name-removal file online or by mailing your name, home address and signature in a letter. Registration is good for five years."

 

I don't plan to move anytime soon, and I don't want to wait two more years for the 5-year "opt out" registration to expire.

 

Maybe it's only a coincidence, but I haven't received a preapproved CC offer ever since I registered to have my name removed from the marketing lists of Direct Marketing Association (DMA) members about three years ago (back when my credit scores were much lower). I opted out with the CRA's around the same time by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT, but I have long since opted back in with them (several times) using that same number. I called the CRA's in the past and verified that I'm no longer "opted out" with them.

 

Although the DMA won't reveal their membership directory to non-members, I have verified through internet searches that Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are DMA members. As members, they are supposed to acknowledge my previous "opt out" registration with the DMA and "honor [my] request not to share [my] information with other marketers" according to this DMA web page: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/privacy.html

 

Could the CRA's actually be honoring that request? (Will wonders never cease?) I can't help but wonder if this is the reason that I haven't seen a single new promotional inquiry on my credit reports in almost three years. I'm not trying to start a debate. My "DMA idea" is speculation! I only mentioned it to explain the reason for my original question.

 

Regardless of whether the DMA registration explains the lack of promotional inquiries or not, I'd still like to know the answer to the question -- i.e., how do I opt back in with the DMA?

 

Thanks!

[pryan67]

if you're THAT desperate to get mail, give me your address and I'll send you a letter *lol*

 

it's beyond me why anyone would WANT to opt back in...however...since you do...

 

all you need to do is fire off a letter to the DMA and ask to be included on their mailing lists

[SevenYearItch]

Thanks for your reply.

 

That's just crazy enough to work! lol! It surprises me that the DMA doesn't provide any "opt in" choice at their web site for the mailing lists.

 

I'm mostly curious about what kinds of credit cards I qualify for at this point. I only have two credit cards (plus two old retail cards). One of them is a so-so Providian card that was offered to me about 4 years ago, and the other one is a very high-interest rate card that I accepted after my bankruptcy 8+ years ago. My FICO scores are now in the mid-700's.

 

I have researched various CC's in the past, but since there are several factors that determine someone's creditworthiness beyond just a credit score (income, debt-level, etc.), I'd prefer to just see with my own eyes where I stand before I apply on my own and possibly get some hard inquiries with nothing to show for it.

[pryan67]

with your FICOs in the mid 700s, and no BK showing (I assume), you should be able to get almost anything...dont' rely on what they offer you...find the best deals yourself...

 

a pre-approved app doesn't mean that you're actually pre-approved...it just means that they got your name off a list...

[joshbgosh]

with your FICOs in the mid 700s, and no BK showing (I assume), you should be able to get almost anything...dont' rely on what they offer you...find the best deals yourself...

 

a pre-approved app doesn't mean that you're actually pre-approved...it just means that they got your name off a list...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ditto

[SevenYearItch]

Yeah, I know that "preapproved" doesn't always mean that.

 

I still have the BK public records showing on all three of the credit reports. That's the only negative. Unfortunately, I think I'm stuck with them for another year and a half. I sent the CRA's copies of my BK papers numerous times in the past -- back when it was fairly common advice on the 'net to do it in order to clean up other errors.

[pryan67]

why not just dispute it anyway?

[joshbgosh]

Yeah, I know that "preapproved" doesn't always mean that.

 

I still have the BK public records showing on all three of the credit reports. That's the only negative. Unfortunately, I think I'm stuck with them for another year and a half. I sent the CRA's copies of my BK papers numerous times in the past -- back when it was fairly common advice on the 'net to do it in order to clean up other errors.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

So did DH, and guess waht was deleted on the first not mine...yep the BK

 

Dispute them as not mine!!!!!

[GEORGE]

DMA has nothing to do with CREDIT CARD OFFERS as far as I know

[SevenYearItch]

I tried once and gave up. It was verified so quickly, my head spun. I can always try again. I just don't want to make a hobby out of it. It's just not me.

[joshbgosh]

I tried once and gave up. It was verified so quickly, my head spun. I can always try again. I just don't want to make a hobby out of it. It's just not me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

then I guess your right, you'll have to wait another year and a half.

 

If it were me I'd dispute until it came off or they deem it frivolous..what can it hurt?

 

Did you follow up with a PR? Letter from court saying they don't verify? Those are the steps.

Edited May 9, 2005 by joshbgosh

[SevenYearItch]

DMA has nothing to do with CREDIT CARD OFFERS as far as I know

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hi, George!

 

I didn't think they were related three years ago, and maybe they're not, but it now seems possible after I read the DMA web site more closely. The CRA's often refer to the promotional offers as mailing lists. I now understand that the Big-3 CRA's are all members of the DMA, and as such, they're supposed to honor the wishes of people who want to be removed from marketing/mailing lists per a DMA request. Whether they actually do honor the request is another question, but like I wrote earlier, I haven't had a promotional inquiry in about three years even though I'm supposedly opted back in with the individual CRA's (according to their telephone reps).

 

I'm not a member of the DMA, so I can't access their membership directory, but here's some web sites that mention the Big-3 CRA's membership in the DMA:

http://www.the-dma.org/aboutdma/whatisthedma.shtml

http://www.epic.org/privacy/junk_mail/richardson.html

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...014033#continue

[GEORGE]

It is more like what people call "JUNK MAIL"

 

When you have to walk 4.5 houses to the mailbox in up to 36" of WHITE POLLUTION...even "JUNK MAIL" is welcomed!!!

[SevenYearItch]

Follow-up:

 

I was able to get my name & address removed from the DMA's "Mail Preference Service" file via e-mail. I sent an e-mail to their customer service department, and they forwarded the letter to their MPS department. All they wanted to know was my name & address and a general timeframe of when I had requested to be put on the MPS file. It only took one day to get off the file.

 

I'm also pretty sure the DMA-MPS registry has been the reason I haven't received any pre-approved credit offers (or seen any promotional inquiries on my reports). Like I mentioned earlier, I know that EX, EQ and TU are members of the DMA. As such, they were supposed to follow my wish and not share my name & address for mail offers (since I was listed on the MPS file).

 

More evidence: http://www.creditsourceonline.com/opt-out.html

(Text)

Writing directly to the Direct Marketing Association at either/or both addresses to opt out of pre-approved offer. Include all pertinent information, including your full name, current address, and home telephone number.

 

Yes, yes... I know that "opting out" is generally recommended here, but I'd really like to get those pre-approved offers again. I'll provide an update here if I start seeing promotional inquiries and pre-approved CC offers again. I probably won't see any changes until June at the soonest.

[SevenYearItch]

Update:

 

I received a $35,000 auto loan pre-approval in the mail today. No further credit checks at a local car dealership are required.

 

This is the first pre-approval of any kind that I've received in the mail in about three years (when I opted out through the DMA and the CRA's). I opted back in with the CRA's over a year ago, but I still got no offers or any promotioanl inquiries. After "opting back in" with the DMA about a month ago, I now have a pre-approval in the mail.

 

I'm pretty sure it was the DMA that prevented me from getting credit pre-approvals.

 

It makes sense. The DMA's "Mail Preference Service" tells their members which people do not want any mail offers. The CRA's are members of the DMA. Thus, I basically opted out with the CRA's by opting out with the DMA.

 

Edit: By the way, I'm not interested in the auto loan. I'm just happy to get a pre-approval in the mail. May the CC offers come next...

Edited June 17, 2005 by SevenYearItch