Consumers often use the words freeze and opt out interchangeably. Consumer reporting agencies do not. A response saying you were removed from prescreened offers may address marketing without confirming that a security freeze was placed on your consumer report.
What a security freeze does
A security freeze is intended to restrict certain third-party access to a consumer-report file, especially in connection with new-account activity. Exceptions can apply, and a freeze does not erase information already in the file.
What a prescreen opt-out does
Prescreening involves lists used for unsolicited credit or insurance offers. Opting out generally tells participating reporting companies not to use your information for those firm-offer lists. It is a marketing-related choice, not a substitute for every other privacy or freeze right.
What about privacy or data-sharing opt-outs?
Some companies offer additional choices involving marketing, affiliate sharing, sale or disclosure of personal information. These rights can depend on the company, the type of data and applicable state or federal law. They should be treated as separate from both a security freeze and a prescreen opt-out.
How to word a mailed request
Use explicit headings. For example: “SECURITY FREEZE REQUEST — THIS IS NOT A PRESCREEN OPT-OUT REQUEST.” If you also want a prescreen opt-out, make it a separate numbered request or separate letter and ask for written confirmation of each action.
A freeze does not stop every possible disclosure
Security freezes have exceptions and do not automatically prohibit every legally permitted use, internal data flow, servicing relationship, fraud-prevention activity or existing-account purpose. That is why consumers should avoid assuming that “frozen” means “no company can ever receive any information about me.”