Archives for June 2012

Maybe it’s just me, but Citibank has been sending me more and more snail mail with balance transfer checks inside. I can recognize the envelopes without even opening them. Even though in the past there may have been a good no-fee 0% APR balance transfer offer, I’ve just kept getting 0% with a 3%-5% fee for the past few years so I decided to stop them for both me and my wife due to the sheer volume.

Stopping these balance transfer checks from piling up in your mailbox is actually quite simple; you just have to ask them. Calling in is one option, but the easiest way is to log into your online account and send them a secure online message. Here’s my simple script that you can copy and paste:

Subject: Balance Transfer Checks in Mail

Hello,

I would like to officially request that I no longer be sent promotional balance transfer checks in the mail. I don’t want checks sitting in my mail box. Thank you.

This is the standard Citibank copy/paste reply:

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you and apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. As you requested, we have processed your privacy choices. Please allow 30 days for these choices to become effective. If there is any way we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Done! This works for all the card issuers as far as I’m aware of, not just Citibank, and you can keep getting your paper statements. If you don’t want any unsolicited offers of credit or insurance sent to you, you can also enroll at OptOutPrescreen.com. This is not the same situation as these Citibank checks, because if you already have a relationship with them they can send you junk until you opt out.