Are you among those who want to cut down on the number of unsolicited offers you get for credit cards and insurance? Federal law, plus a service offered by the credit bureau industry, can make it easier.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to "opt out" or stop credit bureaus from providing your name and address for marketing lists for credit or insurance. Call toll-free 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688), a special phone number set up by the nation's three big credit bureaus and another nationwide company called Innovis. When you call this number, you can opt out of these lists for two years or request a form to opt out permanently. If you have previously opted out and would like to be put back on these marketing lists, you can use the same phone number. FDIC Policy Analyst David Lafleur cautions that "if you have joint credit relationships, such as if you have a mortgage or a car loan with a spouse, you may still receive some solicitations until both parties opt out."