How to Decrease SPAM, Junk Mail, and Telemarketing Calls

SPAM, junk mail, and telemarketing calls can all put a drain on your time. The reward of some effort in reducing or eliminating them in the short term can help you a lot in the long-term. In this article, I'll show you some ideas on how to do this:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. The first step in eliminating a lot of junk mail and telemarketing calls is to contact the three major credit bureau reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and asked to be taken off the "Pre-Appoved" offers list.
   
   It takes a few weeks to take effect, but now I barely get junk mail. Sometimes doing this with just one of them will get the other two notified automatically, but check and make sure.

2. Have a separate e-mail account that you use when you're filling out something for companies instead of using your personal e-mail. You can check it every once in awhile since some retail stores offer specials through e-mails, but it won't be a hassle when it comes to separating these messages from others that are more important. Filters on your existing e-mail can help as well if you're already getting a lot of SPAM.

3. Be careful about using "unsubscribe" links with SPAM. Sometimes it's just someone mass mailing to see if any valid addresses pop up. Then those get sold.

4. Be careful with what you share and with who. I cringe when people fill out a form literally just because it's there and they think they might win something. If something sounds too odd or unrealistic, don't put your private information on it. At best, it's just a marketing ploy and at worst it could be used against you financially.

5. If it's a matter of phone calls, ask to be taken off a calling list. I use a very professional voice and ask for the rep's name, their manager's name, full name of the company, etc. Act like you're writing it down and ask how last names are spelled. Even if you're not on the Do Not Call list, this usually will get them to back off on trying to sell you something.

Tips & Warnings

• If all of these steps seem like a bit of a hassle, keep in mind how much time you'll save long-term from having to clear out your e-mail inbox and filter through your mail. It does add up.
• Cussing out and hanging up on the person who's calling you is not very effective because they really don't have any power. You don't even have to pay attention to what they're saying, but hang on long enough to get a manager to take you off the call list.

Resources

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• Index of Cougar1002's Articles (Sorted by Topic)
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[cheri52]

on 7/15/2008 These tips work for legitimate business that want to stay within the letter of the law and FCC regulations, but does not protect you illegal/criminal spam. If you get a prerecorded message for any product/service/loan rate reduction/credit card rate reduction/carpet cleaining, etc, that does not contain the full name of the business and a return phone number, THE CALL IS ILLEGAL and you are probably dealing with a criminal enterprise. Hang up immediately! Do not talk to these folks. If you have caller ID, please make an FCC complaint. It is easy to do online. If you get several calls, you can contact your local police department and give them the phone number and you can say that you think this is a probable fraud because they are trying to hide their true identity. No honest business operates in this manner. The police can track down the true location of the originating phone cal

[MidniteWriter]

on 2/11/2008 These are very valuable tips. I learned something about skip tracing from reading your articles. This is packed with information about how consumers can protect themselves from vulnerabilities with information. Thanks!