I used my debit card at a gas station in another state the other day. Now they are texting me about specials. Can my bank legally give out my phone number at businesses where I use my card?

It sounds like something that might fall under your state laws. Google your state laws, that’s where I would start.

Legally? I imagine the answer is yes.

When you got the card, there were 3–4 pages of fine print that you agreed to, even if you never read it. (I don’t read the fine print). and even if you objected, there’s no way to change the terms of the credit card agreement short of cancelling the card.

You should be able to report the text messages as spam and have them blocked. (T-Mobile lets me do that on my cell phone).

Try typing “STOP” after a text message. For many, that stops them.

If FUCK OFF didn’t do the trick.

Call your bank and ask.

When I worked at Bloomingdale’s in the 90’s if you used your credit card to pay we could pull up all of your information in our marketing system. I assume any company can pay for that capability and I doubt Bloomingdale’s would do it if it was illegal. Laws certainly could have changed though.

Using the number to sell something could fall under the Do Not Call List, did you register your phone number on the Do Not Call List?

There might be a way you can unsubscribe, or you could block the number.

^ That is really interesting. I never knew business’ could do that! I did sign up for the do not call, but it may be time for a refresher.

Most people think only if you have the department store card they can pull your transactions and information, but we saw it for all credit cards. We could tell if someone had a high return rate (at Bloomies as long as your return rate was under 50% we were fine with it, and that was back when most people shopped in the stores). We used to to send mailers or call customers about sales and upcoming events based on their past buying.

You’ll have to read their privacy policy. Chances are you have given them permission, perhaps by being silent.

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