How to Stop Junk Mail and Email

We hate it. Junk Mail. Junk Email. Junk. How did they get your name or email address anyway? It is possible that when you signed up for a magazine, or opened a new bank account, or signed up for a new service, the fine print probably said, unless you tell us otherwize, we will have 3rd parties send you information. Then, those 3rd parties sell their mailing list to someone else and so it goes. Your mailbox and your email box are effected.

And How to Stop Telemarketers. Don't get me started on those annoying sales pitch calls. Although there is a federal law in place to stop unsolicited calls, you do not need to slam the phone down, just say "Please take me off your list." If they start to argue, or call back, they are not a legal company with a legal offer. Which reminds me  - NEVER, NEVER, EVER give out personal information over the phone or by email. No matter who they say they are and who they represent. No legitimate company will ask for social security number or other information by phone. That is how rip-offs and identity theft starts.

Step One: There is a way to stop Junk Mail. Maybe not all of it, but a start.*

To remove one’s name, address and email from national lists, write to:
The Mail Preference Service,
c/o Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008,
Farmingdale, NY 11735.

You can also right the following companies to not only get off mailing lists - print direct mail and email.
Acxiom Corp., Attn: Opt-outs/Consumer Advocacy, P.O. Box 2000, Conway, AR 72033-2000.
American Business Information Inc., Attn: Product Quality, P.O. Box 27347, Omaha, NE 68127.
Donnelly Marketing Inc., Attn: Data Base Operations, P.O. Box 3502, Ames, IA 50010-3502.
Equifax, Attn: Opt Out, P.O. Box 105873, Atlanta, GA 30348.
Experian, Attn: Consumer Opt Out, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, TX 75013.
LEXIS-NEXIS, 9393 Springboro Pike, P.O. Box 933, Dayton, OH 45401.
The Polk Co., Attn: Opt-Out Coordinator, 26955 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034-8455.
Trans Union Corp., Attn: Name Removal Option, P.O. Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39288-7328.

There is also a phone number to call to halt all credit card offers from the Consumer Opt in or Opt out  888 567-8688.

Step Two: When purchasing a new service or product,  remember to say:
"Do not sell your name  or email to anyone including 3rd parties."
When you sign up for new service or product, be sure to read the fine print. If you have noticed that no mail is getting to you, you might need to resign up for catalogs or magazines. Remember, again, when signing up for a new service, new bank, new anything? Ask companies not to rent or sell your name with your mailing address and email. Whenever donating money, ordering a new product or service, or sending in a warranty card or change-of-address card, they should include a note stating: “Please do not lend, sell or trade my name to any other organization for its mailing lists.”

Step Three: Recycle Your Old Phone Books and Magazines. OK. So this has nothing to do with the above article but we are on a roll. Contact your local recycling center and they will tell you where deposit them. Old Magazines, next time you are in a doctors office, hair salon or public library, bring them for someone else to enjoy. My favorite place to recycle magazines is at senior living or assisted living centers.

*Some of the information for this web page, came from an article by the Maui News,
Sept. 26, 2006 in their 'Check It Out" column. While we have confirmed that phone numbers listed in this article are correct and the DMA address is correct, we cannot confirm the other addresses. We assume that the Maui News article is accurate, however it is not, please let us know and we will update information on the page.