Direct Mail Laws

Direct mail is unsolicited advertising messages delivered by a business to a desired demographic in attempt to sell goods or services. Government agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), protect consumers from false advertising claims and advise how to stop unsolicited mail.

Delivery

The FTC regulates the law, anyone wanting to stop receiving unsolicited commercial direct mail must register with the Direct Mail Association (DMA) and pay a $1. Afterward, applicants can expect a reduction in unsolicited direct mail for up to five years. However, only DMA members are required to honor the delete list.

False Claims

Should a direct mail piece contain a health or safety claim such as "XYZ product can cure cancer or has a washing machine that cut energy costs by 50 percent," the FTC wants to know. It falls under their agency to enforce the laws about false advertising through the Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act

USPS

The United States Postal Service (USPS) are allowed by law to supply mailers, including direct credit card companies and marketing firms, new addresses that are retrieved from change of address cards. One way to combat this information exchange is to privately contact all those companies needing to know your address change.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: Ceasing unsolicitated direct mail
• Direct Mail Association: Consumer Choices
• Federal Trade Commission: False advertising
• IFirm.com:Direct Mail Attorney