Opt-out

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For the broadcasting term, see Opt out.

For special provisions in EU treaties, see Opt-outs in the European Union.

For other uses, see Opt.

The term opt-out refers to several methods by which individuals can avoid receiving unsolicited product or service information. This ability is usually associated with direct marketing campaigns such as telemarketing, e-mail marketing, or direct mail.

1 Telemarketing
2 E-mail marketing
3 U. S. Postal Service
- 3.1 Credit card offers
- 3.2 Unsolicited direct marketing mail (aka "junk mail")
4 Prescreened
5 References
6 See also
7 External Link

[edit] Telemarketing

The UK DMA operates an optout scheme through the TPS while the service will reduce unsolicited calls it does not stop solicited calls, market research calls, silent calls and overseas calls. Consumers and business must opt-out of these organisations directly or through the opt-out website

The U.S. Federal Government has created the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the telemarketing calls consumers receive at home. To register, or to get information, visit http://www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. You will receive fewer telemarketing calls within three months of registering your number. It will stay in the registry for five years or until it is disconnected or you take it off the registry.^[1]

[edit] E-mail marketing

In e-mail marketing, a clickable link or "opt-out button" may be included to notify the sender that the recipient wishes to receive no further e-mails. Clicking the link or button has the side effect of confirming to the sender that the e-mail address used was a valid one, perhaps opening the door for unsolicited e-mail or spam.

[edit] U. S. Postal Service

[edit] Credit card offers

The U.S. national credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables consumers to opt out of all pre-approved credit card and insurance offers with just one phone call. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). An automated system will prompt you for the telephone number, Social Security number, and date of birth for each person to be opted out.^[2] You may also opt out (or opt in) online at https://www.optoutprescreen.com.

[edit] Unsolicited direct marketing mail (aka "junk mail")

In the U.S, the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) "Mail Preference Service" ^[3] provides an opt-out sevice. The consumer's name is added to a "delete" file which is made available to direct-mail marketers. However, registration will not stop mailings from organizations that are not registered with the DMA.^[1]

[edit] Prescreened

Each year American consumers receive several billion written offers of credit or insurance they did not request. In many cases, the senders have prescreened the recipients for creditworthiness and suitability using consumer credit records in the files of consumer reporting agencies.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) permits creditors and insurers to use CRA information as a basis for sending unsolicited firm offers of credit or insurance, also known as prescreened solicitations, to consumers who meet certain criteria, but only within limits specified in the act. The FCRA also provides a mechanism by which consumers can elect not to receive such solicitations by directing CRAs to exclude their names and addresses from lists provided by these agencies for sending prescreened solicitations. Consumers who choose to have their names removed from lists used for prescreened solicitations may well still receive offers of credit or insurance by mail or telephone, but such offers will not be based on the credit records maintained by the CRAs.^[4]