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Reducing Junk Mail

May 17, 2012

Mailbox overflowing with junk mail.When I receive junk mail with a postage-paid envelope included, I take the time to tear off the part of the page that has my name and address printed on it. This is usually the top third of a page, which will have enough info on it to identify the mailing. Then I write on it, in bold lettering, "Remove from mailing list". Then I seal it in the post-paid envelope and mail it back to the sender.

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I've done this for a long while, and I can assure you that it has considerably reduced the amount of junk mail that I receive. Only occasionally will a sender ignore my request, and if they persist, I send them back the entire mailing, including the envelope it came in. The theory being that it makes them pay more for the return, and gets the attention of whoever opens the mail, making it harder to ignore my request.

If there isn't a post-paid envelope, I look for a toll-free number and make a phone call to get off the mailing list. This works especially well with unwanted catalogs. If I don't have time to make the call right away, I put it in my "To Call" file, and make a string of calls, when I do have the time. (With catalogs, I tear off the back cover, which has the pertinent address info on it, so I don't make my file too bulky by putting in the whole catalog.)

Just remember, the sooner you do it, the less junk mail you'll have coming in. Mailing lists get traded and sold, so junk mail tends to multiply, exponentially, over time. So, don't just trash it, nip it!

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Taking these steps really takes very little time to do, in the moment, and pays off, in the long run. And it not only reduces the amount of junk mail that I have to deal with, but saves a lot of paper! I'm an avid recycler, so I know first-hand how much paper flows through my home, just from stuff that I choose to deal with.

I hope you'll try it and see for yourself how well it works.

By Merry Couponer from Missouri Ozarks

 
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September 15, 2011

You can cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive by registering at dmachoice.org.

 
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January 6, 2000

Here's the 1999 Junk Mail Totals for our office . . .

photo of a mail box with junk mail overflowing

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Bronze Tip Medal for All Time! 51 Tips
March 11, 2008

Opt out of junk mailings, tele-marketers calls and e-mail lists. It is easy and free:

 
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January 31, 2008

I apologize for the 'lateness' of this question. A few weeks ago, I read about how you can get product samples and give them to homeless shelters. I LOVE this idea but I have a question for those who order samples. Do you get junk snail mail or other spam because of this? If so, how do you handle this problem?



That's my only concern otherwise, I'd sign up for everything. Please let me know the answer to my question. If my concerns aren't a problem, I look forward to helping out others by doing this simple thing.
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Dawn from Apple Valley, MN

Answers

January 31, 20080 found this helpful

Hi--I think it was my tip that I submitted that you're referring to! :) So far, I haven't had a big problem with a lot of spam, etc. In some cases, if they ask for an e-mail address, I use one that I rarely use. Then if I get any kind of ad from them I just delete it right away. Also, I just give the bare minimum information--that is, I don't fill in any of the "optional" information boxes. Of course, I can't guarantee that you wouldn't get spam--it depends on the company, I suppose. I just think this is a pretty simple way that I can try to help out, while being on a limited budget myself! Some people may not be comfortable with having to give their information to get the samples, but if you don't mind, it's an easy way to help out! Glad you liked the tip!

 
January 31, 20081 found this helpful

Yes, that's one of the big drawbacks of free samples.

If I don't want emails from the company, I'll opt out by choosing the "Unsubscribe" option, generally at the bottom of the email.

 
February 4, 20080 found this helpful

I have also gotten some free samples from Walmart. I just fill in the name & address section of the form to receive my sample and I haven't received any junk mail and very minimal junk emails.

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Many of the companies ask for additional information and if you're willing to review their product, but I choose not to fill in that part of the form.

 
By Christine IN (Guest Post)
February 5, 20081 found this helpful

I have more than 1 address & only give out my dummy address to companies. You are usually allowed more than 1. Hope this helps.

 
August 29, 20220 found this helpful

To reduce unwanted mail/phone calls/texts/emails, etc.

Just be sure to opt out of sharing & marketing with every company you do business with/share personal info with.

This is usually done via their privacy policy or by logging into your account and updating your preferences (marketing, security, privacy, your choices, etc.).

 
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May 27, 2012

I noticed different mail arriving with a spelling mistake in my name. It kept coming, from increasing different sources, including a political party!

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I had read that organizations sell their mailing lists and now I watched it happening.

 
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May 31, 2012

I am trying to help my elderly parents to get their name off mailing lists. I feel they are getting targeted for buying things they really do not need. I have seen this happen to other older people. Please advise me how to stop junk mail as a free service. Thank you.

By Barbara from Boerne, TX

Answers

June 1, 20120 found this helpful

When I get junk mail I give it back to the postman. He told me I could go on line to USPS.gov and have my name taken off the junk mail list.

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Going to that site I can't find any link to do so. I would ask you postman about it.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
June 3, 20121 found this helpful

To eliminate a lot of funk mail don't sign up for any free items; don't subscribe to any magazines, don't contribute to charity organizations and don't register to vote. That's a hard one because I vote but I don't like all the junk mail and phone calls from people running for political office. Any time your name, address, and phone number is given to any organizations one is subject to junk mail and unwanted phone calls. Sad, but it's the world we live in and you can't trust any organization to not sell your information.

 
October 8, 20180 found this helpful

This is how to remove yourself from the NCOA list....

National Change of Address (NCOALink) "is a secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records consisting of the names and addresses of individuals, families and businesses who have filed a change-of-address with the USPS".

The USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in Memphis, TN can remove your information from the National Change of Address (NCOA) system. Please email your request to COAHelp@usps.gov, to the attention of Garry Moore, or contact them directly at 866-315-7856 X6453.. You may also cancel the change of address order by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or by visiting www.usps.com and providing the confirmation number.

 
August 29, 20220 found this helpful

This is what I did for my aging parents

* Register their address with USPS Informed delivery - this service emails you daily the USPS mail/packages to be delivered (including past residents mail).

Use this service to aid you in requesting removal from unwanted senders - attach the mailers image to your removal request.

* Register them with DMAChoice (caretaker option - there is also a deceased option if needed) & DirectMail (National do not mail list). Be sure to include ALL name/address variations they receive mail in as well as the info listed on their truepeoplesearch listing(s). This website lists info connected to our names - believe me they are receiving mail at these addresses and in these name variations.

* Submit USPS COAs from EVERY old address (even if 10+ years since moved). I was given this tip when a relative passed - you will be surprised what mail is still being delivered to our old addresses.

I do this every 2-4 years (or when move) - this way no matter what address a sender is using they at least have a forwarding address.

* Register them with opt out prescreen to reduce their unwanted credit card offers. Select the permanent option (form to mail in) - this way you never have to revisit topic again.

consumer.ftc.gov/.../how-stop-junk-mail

NOTE: This service will ONLY stop offers that have this program in the fine print.

Customer of CC (current/past/authorized user) - see credit cards privacy policy to limit sharing & marketing. A company can still share & market to us even if the account is closed.

* if they MUST donate - do this anonymously via money order with no contact info.

If they have donated in the past - you will need to contact the charity directly and request removal from their mailing/marketing list.

Remove their info from Infocision - infocis@infocision.com - responsible for unsolicited charity mailers/phone calls.

* Catalogs - If you have ordered something from a catalog, your address and name will likely end up with an alliance of catalog and publishing companies commonly referred to as Abacus. If you want your details to be removed, contact Abacus through email optout@abacus-us.com  or through their website.

* Remove from databroker Acxiom - isapps.acxiom.com/.../optout.aspx

* Remove from databroker Epsilon - www.epsilon.com/.../marketing-data-summary-request

www.epsilon.com/.../consumer-information#Display

* Obtain free annual credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis) - consumer.ftc.gov/.../free-credit-reports

Goal is to have one name variation (females - maiden/married - one each), one address variation per correct address listed, no phone numbers listed, no emails listed, etc. Call dispute number and ask CSR what creditors are reporting said info - correct with creditor before disputing. I usually do this the following year after I make sure no other creditor is reporting said info.

 
August 29, 20220 found this helpful

Forgot - register their address with CatalogChoice - free service that helps addresses reduce their unwanted USPS mail. Works great for past residents mail.

Aging parents opt out list(I have more if need be)

AAA - cluballiance.aaa.com/optout# (zip code 00000) - Member - be sure to see their privacy policy and stop the sharing - member.acg.aaa.com/.../The-Auto-Club-Group-Privacy-Policy...

AAA - Life Insurance should stop with above link - if they dont reply and I have other tips.

Postage paid envelope - while waiting for removal to take affect - return with address portion included with note - Remove from mailing list. This helps support the USPS!

AARP - Visit their website, privacy policy at very bottom of webpage, data choices, communication

www.aarp.org/.../privacy-opt-out-form-new.html?cmp...

AARP (deceased) - www.aarp.org/.../

AARP - NY Life - email removal request to mailto:privacy@newyorklife.com

AARP - Hartford life - email removal request to - ConsumerPrivacyInquiriesMailbox@thehartford.com

AARP - United healthcare - email removal request to - uhg_consumer_affairs@uhg.com

Advise Insurance - privacy@AdviseInsurance.com

Aetna - Contact us on website - member.aetna.com/.../forms?page=contactPublicForm

Alzheimers association - www.alz.org/.../mail-preferences

American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org/.../thank-you.html

American Legion - www.legion.org/.../customer-service
If they have an account - ask for the marketing mailers to stop!

American Senior Benefits - compliance@americanseniorbenefits.com

American Senior Benefits (aka National Response Center & United Freedom Benefits Department)

PO Box 740119, Atlanta, GA & PO 161069, Atlanta, GA

File a complaint to BBB to opt out - www.bbb.org/.../united-freedom-benefits-0443-28190986

Amerigroup - mailto:mspweb@amerigroup.com

Anthem - Privacy.Office@anthem.com

Arbor Day Foundation - www.arborday.org/.../index.cfm

Ascension Complete - www.ascensioncomplete.com/contact-us.html

Ascension Saint Thomas - ascension.org/.../Contact-Information

Assurance (Medicare related) - assurance.com/comm-opt-out

Beltone (difficult to stop) - Info@midwestbeltone.com - www.beltone.com/unsubscribe

If all else fails file BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/.../beltone-corporation-0654-90017443

Benefits Processing Center (aka LeadPros LLC) - postage permit Asheville, NC Permit No. 422

Postage paid envelope - PO Box 6373, Asheville, NC (permit 176)

File BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/.../family-wellness-data-center-0473...

eHealth Insurance Services (EHI) - Customerservice@ehealthinsurance.com

Globe Life (prepaid envelope) - email removal request to CS@globelifeins.com - www.globelifeinsurance.com/contact - select contact marketing dept - reason contact marketing dept - contact name (name on mailer To the xxxxxx Family). Do NOT enter phone/email unless you want unwanted phone calls/email.

NOTE: Be sure to mail prepaid envelope with message - Remove from mailing list. Support USPS!

GoHealth (Medicare related) - the mailers have NO return address and a postal imprint/indicia of Palatine, IL Permit #972 - email removal request to customerservice@gohealth.com or file BBB complaint (include pic of mailer) -
www.bbb.org/.../gohealth-0654-88258924

Good Sam - difficult to stop - reply to post if need help with this one - if member opt out of sharing & marketing

Hoverround - info@hoveround.com

Humana - NetAdminCorrespondence@humana.com

Ideal concepts, Inc (aka American Insurance Organization, LLC (AIO) - compliance@idealconcepts.com & file BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/.../complaints

Jackson National Life Insurance Company - www.jackson.com/contact-us.html

K9s for Warriors - info@k9sforwarriors.org

Lead Concepts (Medicare/Mortgage Ins/Life Ins) - (postage imprint Presorted STD Permit 170) - Leadconcepts.com - Chat - Info@leadconcepts.com

Postage paid envelope - PO Box 1170, Owasso, OK

www.bbb.org/.../lead-concepts-inc-1025-38015388

www.bbb.org/.../lead-concepts-0875-91067995

Lead Connections (Medicare) - Leadconnections.com - contact us - BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/.../the-lead-connection-0875-90377397

Life alert - wecare@lifealert.com

Lutheran World relief - data-privacy@lwr.org

MADD - www.madd.org/communication-optout

March of Dimes - donorservice@marchofdimes.com

Miracle Ear - feedback@miracle-ear.com - compliancedept@amplifon.com - www.miracle-ear.com/contact-us

MSS - Market Smart Strategies (PO Box 2260, Indianapolis, IN) - Mspowermail.com - Marketing@mspowermail.com

Mutual of Omaha - privacy.office@mutualofomaha.com

National Senior Benefit Services - marketing@nationalseniorbenefitservices.com

Paralyzed Veterans - pva.org/.../

PETA - Info@peta.org

Physicians Mutual (aka physicians life insurance company) - www.physiciansmutual.com/.../customer-center

Publishers clearing house - pch.custhelp.com/.../ask_mailing

Senior Supplemental Referral Service (NAL - Need a lead) - design@needalead.com

SingleCare - Support@singlecare.com

St Jude - donors@stjude.org - mailto:privacy@stjude.org

State Farm - apps.statefarm.com/.../DonotSolicitRequestForm.htm

Stanley Steemer - mailto:privacy@steemer.com - www.stanleysteemer.com/contact-us

Together Health (health insurance.com & Medicare Coverage Helpline) - privacy@benefytt.com

Trugreen - customercare@trugreenmail.com

United Advisors (Medicare) - havent found a way to opt out/remove yet - if you find a way let me know

Wellcare - Socialmedia@wellcare.com - call 800-960-2530 Marketing Suppression List - www.wellcare.com/.../Contact-Us-Form

(Choose option - General Public, Inquiry Category - other, Health Plan - select dept mailer is from ex. Medicare. When entering phone number use this format (555) 555-5555 - use parentheses

NOTE: After removing one name from their mailing list you will receive in other names (past residents). Just keep requesting removal until the mailers stop.

File BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/.../wellcare-health-plans-inc-0653-52003406

Wounded warrior - support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=459&sm_guid=NTkyMjh8MHwtMXx8Mjc2NDMyfHwwfDB8ODUzODg0ODF8NzQ1fDB8MHx8MA2

 
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