Here are six simple ways to reduce your unsolicited mail
1. Click here for information on how to be removed from  Val-Pak Coupons and Direct Marketing Association lists. Be sure to list all variations of your name:
Peter Rabbit, Pete Rabbit, Paula Rabbit, P. Rabbit
For a small fee, you can also opt out of the DMA list by visiting http://www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php
2. Contact the following businesses to request your name be taken off their lists:
Credit card offers
Equifax/Trans Union/Novus/Experian:
1-888-567-8688
Sweepstakes
Publisher’s Clearinghouse: 1-800-645-9242
Reader’s Digest: 1-800-334-9599 or write to
Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes Dept., Reader’s
Digest Rd., Pleasantville, NY 10570
Shopping Flyers
Valassis (formerly Advo):
http://www.advo.com/consumersupport.html
or send a signed letter to P.O. Box 249, Windsor, CT 06095
PennySaver/Potpourri: 1-800-479-4795
Catalogs
Abacus: optout@abacus-direct.com or send full name and current address to
P.O. Box 1478, Broomfield, CO 80038
3. Call any contact number printed on the mailer or catalog and tell them you want to be taken off their list.
You can also write a simple letter stating that you want your name removed. It is easier for the organization to remove your name if they have the exact copy of your address label. Cut or peel off the address label and glue or tape the label to the bottom of your letter.
Click here for a sample letter that you can cut and paste.
4. When you buy from companies over the phone or online, make sure to let the company know: “DO NOT SELL MY NAME!”
5. Write on the bottom of checks and mail orders “DO NOT SELL MY NAME.”
6. Don’t use Change of Address cards supplied by the Post Office. The Post Office provides the information from Change-of-Address cards to private businesses. This is how national list brokers, credit bureaus and others may get your name in the first place. Instead, send out your own postcards announcing your new address to those whose mail you want to receive. You can also ask the Post Office to hold your mail for pick-up until everyone knows your new address.
 Two things that don’t work to reduce unsolicited mail
Refusing unsolicited mail
Writing “Return to Sender” or “Refused” on unsolicited mail and placing it in your mailbox does not work. The U.S. Post Office does not forward third class bulk mail, so this mail will be discarded.
Returning unsolicited mail postage due
Trying to get the attention of a company by returning your accumulated junk mail in an envelope with insufficient postage does not work. |
