I have so many questions about the below email I just received from a local credit union. First, please understand that I have never been a customer of this credit union. I was a signer on a business account (an LLC I own), but have never had individual accounts with them. And to top it off, I closed my business account with them last month, so neither I nor my business have accounts with them currently.

So, my main question is, can this credit union send me a prescreened credit offer even though I have never been a customer of theirs (again, I was just an account signer on a business account)? Also, I’ve never gotten a prescreened offer through email before, is that permitted? I guess I’m just a bit upset that my credit is being looked at by an institution I have never had individual accounts with.

Thanks for your help and here’s the email I received.


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Special offers just for you!

We know you have many choices on where to do your banking, and xxxxxxxxxxx values the opportunity to serve you. We are extending some special offers picked specifically for you!

You are pre-approved for a $75,000.00 1% Cash Back Used Auto Loan (2013-2018) at 7.74% APR!*

And for a limited time: Get 1% cash back on your next auto loan*

You may qualify for additional offers too! To view your pre-approved auto loan and other personalized offers, follow one of these two options.

Access through online or mobile banking. Existing xxxxxxxxxxxx members can sign in to their online or mobile banking account and select "My Offers" from the menu.

If you currently do not have online or mobile banking access, you can create an account by visiting xxxxxxxxxxxx to view your offers. Once you sign in and review your offers, you'll be able to accept them or apply online.

Visit your customized offers webpage. If you aren’t currently a xxxxxxxxxxxxx member or if you don’t have online or mobile banking, you can visit your personal offer site and enter code xxxxxxxxxxxx to access your personalized offers.

But don’t wait too long! Pre-approved and invitation-to-apply offers, including the terms, rates and limits, are good for a limited time.

If you have any questions, please call us at xxx.xxx.xxxx.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Credit Union



*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates are effective as of June 17th, 2024, and subject to change based on market conditions and borrower eligibility. Please visit https://xxxxxxxxxxx for more information on our current rates and disclosures.

*Cash back offer is good for one (1) percent of loan value up to $750 and expires September 30, 2024. Offer is good on new or used vehicles. Loan must stay open at least 12 months or cash back will be added to loan payoff amount. The loan must close at a xxxxxxxxxxxxx branch. Offer is subject to change without notice. Additional qualifications apply, including credit history review.

PRESCREEN & OPT-OUT NOTICE: This "prescreened" offer of credit is based on information in your credit report indicating that you meet certain criteria for creditworthiness. This offer is not guaranteed if you do not meet our criteria (including providing acceptable property as collateral). If you do not want to receive prescreened offers of credit from this and other companies, call the consumer reporting agencies toll-free at 1-888-5OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688); or visit the website at www.optoutprescreen.com or write: Equifax Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123; TransUnion, Opt Out Request, P.O. Box 505, Woodlyn, PA 19094-0505; Experian Consumer Opt Out, P.O. Box 919, Allen, TX 75013.

We used information about you that we obtained from a consumer reporting agency in connection with this "Pre-Approved" offer. You were selected to receive this offer because you satisfied certain criteria for creditworthiness, which we previously established. The offered credit may not be extended if, after you respond to this offer, we determine that you do not meet the required collateral. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate. Credit may also be declined if there is a major change to the credit report that disqualifies you, there is a major change to your income that would put you over your borrowing limits, or collateral does not match for the offer. Membership eligibility is required.

Unless you have previously opted-out of prescreened offers through the credit bureaus as instructed in that letter, nothing prevents anyone from doing this. If you have opted-out and have proof, then you have the makings of a lawsuit.