Opting out CC checks in mail? - Credit Card Forum

fffresh · 08-04-2008, 07:01 PM

You know how they send those cash advance/balance transfer checks in the mail usually once every month or two? Well I really hate getting those. What I've noticed lately is they now require you to call and activate them which is a good thing, because before I think the checks use to be active when you got them in the mail, but not anymore. I would still just prefer not to get them though.

I know there's an option on every one of these we get that you can call and opt out of the offers completely. The thing is I don't want to opt out of ALL credit card offers, because I do carry a balance once in a while and I like to be up to date on any 0% offers in the mail, so I don't want to opt out of those. But I would like to opt out of getting these checks. When you opt-out are you opting out of everything or can you choose what things opt out of

(After writing this I realized I could find out just by picking up the phone and calling them

but I'd rather not.

)

Cucumber · 08-05-2008, 07:11 AM

Yea I know what you mean. I've never opted out but I think it says you opt out receiving all offers. I wouldn't worry about it tho bec usually if you need to find the best balance transfer offers you can just call up your credit card companies and they will offer you the same ones over the phone that they send you in the mail, at least that's how it's worked for me.

robert.loehmann · 08-06-2008, 10:15 PM

The problem with these is they send them out way to often. If they only sent these cash advance checks out every 3 or 6 months I wouldn't really mind. But when each credit card company is sending them to you once or twice every month it gets to be too much. Bank of America sends them to me with my statement and in a separate mailing every month. Hey I heard you the first time guys! Save a tree you don't need to send it to me twice!

JEFF COGA · 08-19-2008, 10:11 AM

I understand the concern for fraud, theft, and the headache if someone with bad intention gets hold of the card BUT I would highly recommend no one to "opt out"!!!

Here's why... Once you opt out, you set of a series of trigger within the company!!! This trigger is very bad (i'll post on this later)... because when you call to negotiate rates you do not have ANY amunitation/leverage... ex. I'm pretty sure you've noticed when you call the bank to "activate" the checks they will say... "as a convince to YOU we can take care of this BT for you today..." these reps GETS COMMISSION!!! Some times by you saying I'll just use the checks UNLESS YOU CAN DO ANYTHING BETTER?... You'll be suprised on how many times the reps will lower your rate or extended it... because they need to get the BT to get paid out.

Last but not least...if you opt out, then call and use the rates the rep gives you... you have a very higher propensity of getting labeled as a "RATE SURFER"... once you are labeled/black listed it will be VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A RATE UNDER 4.99% with the current card issuer...

JEFF COGA · 08-19-2008, 10:13 AM

ALSO... lets say someone with bad intentions gets hold of the checks... you can use this as leverage to get fees, lower BT rates and etc etc for the "inconvenience this caused you"

**you are not liable for a single penny of fraudulent charges***

Mogul of Pineapples · 08-20-2008, 11:30 AM

I see what you mean now about it being better not to opt out. Having the checks gives you something to work off of. For example, if the checks said 0% for 9 months, you could call them up and ask for 0% for 12 months. Otherwise the CSR might say they only have 0% for 6 months, and you would negotiate up to 9 months only instead. This is pure speculation on my part but I would hypothesize it's something along these lines?

It seems like these checks would be harder to scam too since they have to be activated in order to use now. Before they would be mailed out active. I would imagine when you call to activate you have to verify account numbers, account info, etc. for your card. Would it be safe to say that you could toss the checks in the trash and even if someone found them you would be in no danger because they wouldn't be able to activate them?

JEFF COGA · 08-20-2008, 09:06 PM

You want to have the access checks as a starting point... cannot go into a fight without ammo...

heres a quick tip on how to kill 2 birds with one stone:
- you receive 0% 9 months access checks
- call the bank - call with ph# on the BACK of your credit card, NOT ON THE CHECKS!!!
- When they verify you ask for contractual rate decrease, credit line increase, ask them how the days going etc etc... your filling them out to see what kind of power they have... if they increase credit card limit, GREAT!!! (lower debt to credit line ratio)... if they lower contract rate, GREAT!!!...
- Next casually ask them... what is your guys BEST BT PROMO for a customer who (never been late, always paper more than min, had the card for x-amoutn of years etc etc)... and shut up!! First rule of negotiation, first Who throws out a number usually losses.
- If the rep gives you the same time length that maybe the best deal but if they say 2.99 for 12 months, 1.99 for 9 months and etc you have some ammo to fight...
- ALWAYS ask for something locked for life of the loan - if you do not ask the questions, you'll never know... 0% 9 months is good but why not take 1.99% for life

Also you are in no danger... just keep in mind, banks keep track of "habits" - how much you spend, where you spend, how you spend it (swipe/access checks/cashadvance), online and etc. If you do something out of the norm... typically the fraud time will call you or stop the charges.

Herman65 · 09-30-2008, 02:27 AM

It certainly is a scam. Like we can use the credit card to do everything those stupid checks will do. My mail lady often puts my neighbors mail in my box and my mail in my neighbors box. I'm sure these have ended up in the wrong hands. It's a good thing you have to call to activate but it's still a scam none the less.

Floppster · 09-30-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEFF COGA

I understand the concern for fraud, theft, and the headache if someone with bad intention gets hold of the card BUT I would highly recommend no one to "opt out"!!!

Here's why... Once you opt out, you set of a series of trigger within the company!!! This trigger is very bad (i'll post on this later)... because when you call to negotiate rates you do not have ANY amunitation/leverage... ex. I'm pretty sure you've noticed when you call the bank to "activate" the checks they will say... "as a convince to YOU we can take care of this BT for you today..." these reps GETS COMMISSION!!! Some times by you saying I'll just use the checks UNLESS YOU CAN DO ANYTHING BETTER?... You'll be suprised on how many times the reps will lower your rate or extended it... because they need to get the BT to get paid out.

Last but not least...if you opt out, then call and use the rates the rep gives you... you have a very higher propensity of getting labeled as a "RATE SURFER"... once you are labeled/black listed it will be VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A RATE UNDER 4.99% with the current card issuer...

I have to admit, that I do not have to deal with 10 different offers a day since I opt'ed out. It is a great to get only a certain amount of mail a week and not have empty the shredder 2-3 times a week. A Check in general will be opened up looked at and shredded. I never take advantage out of these checks and I never will. I get them like once a month but that's about it. I never even thought about bargain the rep about a APR discount or whatever. I would run myself into debt way to fast if I would do all that !

Mogul of Pineapples · 10-01-2008, 06:38 PM

Floppster you're still getting offers once a month even though you opted out?

08-04-2008, 07:01 PM	#1
fffresh Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the edge of the world Posts: 227	Opting out CC checks in mail? You know how they send those cash advance/balance transfer checks in the mail usually once every month or two? Well I really hate getting those. What I've noticed lately is they now require you to call and activate them which is a good thing, because before I think the checks use to be active when you got them in the mail, but not anymore. I would still just prefer not to get them though. I know there's an option on every one of these we get that you can call and opt out of the offers completely. The thing is I don't want to opt out of ALL credit card offers, because I do carry a balance once in a while and I like to be up to date on any 0% offers in the mail, so I don't want to opt out of those. But I would like to opt out of getting these checks. When you opt-out are you opting out of everything or can you choose what things opt out of (After writing this I realized I could find out just by picking up the phone and calling them but I'd rather not. )

08-20-2008, 11:30 AM	#6
Mogul of Pineapples Centurion Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Where the smog from the 101 freeway coats my home's windows... Posts: 279	I see what you mean now about it being better not to opt out. Having the checks gives you something to work off of. For example, if the checks said 0% for 9 months, you could call them up and ask for 0% for 12 months. Otherwise the CSR might say they only have 0% for 6 months, and you would negotiate up to 9 months only instead. This is pure speculation on my part but I would hypothesize it's something along these lines? It seems like these checks would be harder to scam too since they have to be activated in order to use now. Before they would be mailed out active. I would imagine when you call to activate you have to verify account numbers, account info, etc. for your card. Would it be safe to say that you could toss the checks in the trash and even if someone found them you would be in no danger because they wouldn't be able to activate them? __________________ “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” -Warren Buffett Current Cards: American Express: Blue Cash, Simply Cash Bank of America: Visa Financial Rewards Platinum Plus Chase: Rewards Visa, Amazon Visa Discover: More Current Everyday Card: American Express Blue Cash

10-01-2008, 06:38 PM	#10
Mogul of Pineapples Centurion Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Where the smog from the 101 freeway coats my home's windows... Posts: 279	Floppster you're still getting offers once a month even though you opted out? __________________ “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” -Warren Buffett Current Cards: American Express: Blue Cash, Simply Cash Bank of America: Visa Financial Rewards Platinum Plus Chase: Rewards Visa, Amazon Visa Discover: More Current Everyday Card: American Express Blue Cash

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08-05-2008, 07:11 AM	#2
Cucumber Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The beach of Zuma Posts: 146	Yea I know what you mean. I've never opted out but I think it says you opt out receiving all offers. I wouldn't worry about it tho bec usually if you need to find the best balance transfer offers you can just call up your credit card companies and they will offer you the same ones over the phone that they send you in the mail, at least that's how it's worked for me.

08-06-2008, 10:15 PM	#3
robert.loehmann Green Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 23	The problem with these is they send them out way to often. If they only sent these cash advance checks out every 3 or 6 months I wouldn't really mind. But when each credit card company is sending them to you once or twice every month it gets to be too much. Bank of America sends them to me with my statement and in a separate mailing every month. Hey I heard you the first time guys! Save a tree you don't need to send it to me twice!

08-19-2008, 10:11 AM	#4
JEFF COGA Green Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 21	I understand the concern for fraud, theft, and the headache if someone with bad intention gets hold of the card BUT I would highly recommend no one to "opt out"!!! Here's why... Once you opt out, you set of a series of trigger within the company!!! This trigger is very bad (i'll post on this later)... because when you call to negotiate rates you do not have ANY amunitation/leverage... ex. I'm pretty sure you've noticed when you call the bank to "activate" the checks they will say... "as a convince to YOU we can take care of this BT for you today..." these reps GETS COMMISSION!!! Some times by you saying I'll just use the checks UNLESS YOU CAN DO ANYTHING BETTER?... You'll be suprised on how many times the reps will lower your rate or extended it... because they need to get the BT to get paid out. Last but not least...if you opt out, then call and use the rates the rep gives you... you have a very higher propensity of getting labeled as a "RATE SURFER"... once you are labeled/black listed it will be VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A RATE UNDER 4.99% with the current card issuer...

08-19-2008, 10:13 AM	#5
JEFF COGA Green Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 21	ALSO... lets say someone with bad intentions gets hold of the checks... you can use this as leverage to get fees, lower BT rates and etc etc for the "inconvenience this caused you" you are not liable for a single penny of fraudulent charges*

08-20-2008, 09:06 PM	#7
JEFF COGA Green Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 21	You want to have the access checks as a starting point... cannot go into a fight without ammo... heres a quick tip on how to kill 2 birds with one stone: - you receive 0% 9 months access checks - call the bank - call with ph# on the BACK of your credit card, NOT ON THE CHECKS!!! - When they verify you ask for contractual rate decrease, credit line increase, ask them how the days going etc etc... your filling them out to see what kind of power they have... if they increase credit card limit, GREAT!!! (lower debt to credit line ratio)... if they lower contract rate, GREAT!!!... - Next casually ask them... what is your guys BEST BT PROMO for a customer who (never been late, always paper more than min, had the card for x-amoutn of years etc etc)... and shut up!! First rule of negotiation, first Who throws out a number usually losses. - If the rep gives you the same time length that maybe the best deal but if they say 2.99 for 12 months, 1.99 for 9 months and etc you have some ammo to fight... - ALWAYS ask for something locked for life of the loan - if you do not ask the questions, you'll never know... 0% 9 months is good but why not take 1.99% for life Also you are in no danger... just keep in mind, banks keep track of "habits" - how much you spend, where you spend, how you spend it (swipe/access checks/cashadvance), online and etc. If you do something out of the norm... typically the fraud time will call you or stop the charges.

09-30-2008, 02:27 AM	#8
Herman65 Green Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA Posts: 5	It certainly is a scam. Like we can use the credit card to do everything those stupid checks will do. My mail lady often puts my neighbors mail in my box and my mail in my neighbors box. I'm sure these have ended up in the wrong hands. It's a good thing you have to call to activate but it's still a scam none the less.