Opting out of credit card offers is a start ... although it can't remedy this blunder

Imagine ordering a couple of replacement credit cards and receiving 2,000! That’s what happened to a New York man. Fortunately, he destroyed the jumbo shipments before the cards landed in the hands of an identity thief.

If you’d like to receive fewer credit card offers, you can remove your name from mailings lists through the credit bureaus' free opt-out program online or by calling 1-888-5OptOut (1-888-567-8688). You can also take your name off other junk mail lists by contacting the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) through their Web site.  You'll pay a buck, but DMA will notify marketers to delete your name and address from their marketing lists for five years.

Of course, this won't prevent your existing creditors from contacting you. Nor will it improve customer service.