Missouri consumer writes:

In regards to offers for "Pre-Approved" credits cards, can they deny you? From my understanding, if an offer is stated as "Pre-Approved", that means they must accept your application and provide you with the card as offered. Could you please provide me with more detailed information pertaining to this, such as the actual laws involved.

Pre-approved credit card offers are conditional. That means at first glance you appear to meet their criteria, but you still have to fill out the application to confirm your credit and other details. These companies under the law have the right to deny you a card, even if at first they said you are pre-approved. (The federal laws on this are in 15 U.S.C. § 1681.)

So here's my consumer advice:

1. A pre-approved offer is not likely to be the best deal out there. You're better off to shop around yourself. This is a ferociously competitive industry, so you can find cards with low interest rates, no annual fees, cash back, points, etc.

2. Opt out of these offers at www.optoutprescreen.com. This is more than a nuisance - it's an ID theft risk. The more paper flying around with your name on it, the more vulnerable you are. You will have to enter your Social Security number, and that's OK since you initiated the contact.