Beware of Pre-approved Offers
The biggest delusion associated with preapproved credit card offers is that the credit card is already approved. This is simply not true. Usually preapproved means that you have been invited to apply for the offer. Once you apply the credit card company or other lender damages your credit by making an inquiry into your credit score.
The lender offering you the pre-approved credit doesn’t even have to ask your permission to look at your credit. All they need is your social security number. If they ask you for your social security number on the application then it means that they intend to pull your report.
To be on the safe side don’t ever give your social security number out to any type of financial institution unless you are absolutely serious about opening an account with them and are able to take the “hit” of the hard inquiry on your credit report.