How to Opt Out of TransUnion

TransUnion is one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States, alongside Equifax and Experian. While they play an important role in the credit system, they also collect and share vast amounts of personal financial data. The good news is that you have several ways to limit how TransUnion uses and shares your information, from stopping pre-screened credit offers to placing a full credit freeze.

What Information Does TransUnion Collect?

TransUnion maintains detailed credit profiles on hundreds of millions of consumers. Their records typically include:

• Personal identifying information such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current and previous addresses
• Credit account details including credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and student loans
• Payment history showing on-time payments, late payments, and defaults
• Credit inquiries from lenders and other entities that have checked your credit
• Public records such as bankruptcies, tax liens, and civil judgments
• Collection accounts from debts sent to collection agencies

Beyond traditional credit data, TransUnion also operates products like TrueVision, which provides risk assessment and fraud detection tools to businesses, and various marketing list services that use consumer data for targeted offers.

How to Stop Pre-Screened Credit and Insurance Offers

Those unsolicited "pre-approved" credit card and insurance offers filling your mailbox come from prescreened lists that TransUnion and the other credit bureaus provide to lenders. Here is how to stop them:

Option 1: Opt Out for 5 Years (Online or Phone)

1. Visit OptOutPrescreen.com: Go to www.optoutprescreen.com, the official site run jointly by Experian, TransUnion, Equifax, and Innovis.
2. Or call 1-888-567-8688: This is the toll-free number (1-888-5-OPT-OUT) that connects you to the same service.
3. Provide your information: You will need to enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address.
4. Confirm your request: Your request will be processed within five days, though it may take up to 60 days for all pre-screened offers to stop completely.

Option 2: Opt Out Permanently (By Mail)

1. Start the process online: Visit www.optoutprescreen.com and begin the permanent opt-out request.
2. Print and sign the form: You will receive a Permanent Opt-Out Election form that must be signed and mailed in.
3. Mail the form: Send the completed, signed form to the address provided. This makes the opt-out permanent rather than the five-year window of the online or phone option.

How to Place a TransUnion Credit Freeze

A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, restricts access to your TransUnion credit report. This prevents new creditors from pulling your report, which effectively stops most identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. Freezing your credit is free under federal law.

Online Freeze

1. Go to TransUnion's freeze page: Visit www.transunion.com/credit-freeze.
2. Create or sign in to your account: You will need to verify your identity with personal information.
3. Place the freeze: Follow the on-screen prompts to freeze your credit file.
4. Save your PIN: TransUnion will issue a PIN or password that you will need to temporarily lift or permanently remove the freeze later.

Freeze by Phone

Call 888-909-8872 to speak with TransUnion's automated freeze line. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your Social Security number and personal details ready for identity verification.

Freeze by Mail

Send a written request to TransUnion LLC, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094. Include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, current and previous addresses for the past two years, and a copy of a government-issued ID.

How to Opt Out of TransUnion Marketing Lists

Beyond pre-screened credit offers, TransUnion also provides marketing lists to businesses for direct marketing purposes. To limit this:

• Visit TransUnion's privacy center: Go to www.transunion.com/privacy to review your options for limiting data sharing for marketing purposes.
• Submit a request online: Use their consumer privacy request form to opt out of marketing-related data sharing.
• Contact TransUnion directly: Call their consumer relations line to request removal from marketing lists.

Additionally, you can register with the Direct Marketing Association at DMAchoice.org to reduce direct mail marketing from DMA member companies. There is a small fee of about six dollars for online registration, which lasts for ten years.

Managing TransUnion's Other Products

TransUnion operates several subsidiary products and services that may hold your data:

• TrueVision: A risk and fraud analytics platform used by businesses. Your data in TrueVision is generally governed by your interactions with the businesses that use it. Contact those businesses directly to limit data sharing.
• TransUnion TrueCredit: If you have signed up for credit monitoring, you can cancel through your account settings or by calling customer support.
• Tenant screening reports: If you have been subject to a tenant screening report through TransUnion, you have the right to request a copy and dispute inaccuracies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Additional Steps to Protect Your Privacy

For the most comprehensive protection of your credit and personal data, consider these additional measures:

• Freeze credit at all three bureaus: A TransUnion freeze alone is not enough. Also freeze your credit at Equifax and Experian.
• Set up fraud alerts: A fraud alert requires creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. You only need to place it at one bureau, and they are required to notify the other two.
• Review your credit reports: You are entitled to free weekly credit reports from all three bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Monitor for data broker listings: Credit bureaus are just one source of your personal information online. Data brokers also compile and sell your details.

Managing your TransUnion privacy settings is an important step, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Your personal information is also held by dozens of data brokers and people search sites. A service like PrivacyOn can help you monitor and remove your data from these sources automatically, saving you the time and effort of submitting individual opt-out requests across hundreds of sites.