If you are wondering why you are excessively bombarded with phone calls and mail from companies soliciting their credit cards, you can blame the creditors aggressiveness for obtaining your information.

“Our association does not sell (students’) names (to credit card companies),” said Steve Rich, executive director of the alumni association.

Rich said the lists are only provided to MBNA, the bank in which the association works in conjunction with, to sell Eastern’s credit card.

“We receive a set fee and a percentage of every credit card sold,” he said.

He said students who wish to be taken off the lists can request their name not be available.

However, the majority of the solicitation is unavoidable, Rich said. He said companies will go to great lengths to obtain students’ information.

“(Solicitors) will get a copy of the campus phone directory,” he said. “I know some companies have an employee literally type every name out. There is not a whole lot you can do.”

The information in the campus directory is considered public information and is available to everyone.

Rich said MBNA was evaluated and commemorated for providing some of the best customer service in the industry and is not a constant nuisance to students.

The association could have easily made more money with another bank, but felt MBNA’s product and reputation were far more important.

“Twice a year is the only time we provide a mailing for students (about the credit card),” Rich said. “Once in the fall and once in the spring. They do not call students very often.”

Students wishing to put an end to advertising mail may find the Mail Preference Service (MPS) of some assistance to them.

MPS is a free service designed by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to assist consumers in decreasing the amount of commercial or advertising mail they receive.

Anyone interested in this service may register with MPS by mailing their name, address and signature in a letter or postcard to:

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association

P.O. Box 9008

Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

Once a person’s name is received their name is placed on a “delete” file which is made available to companies four times a year. A decrease in advertising mail should be evident within three months of MPS entering a name into their file.