How to Remove a Name From Pre-Approved Credit Card & Junk Mail Lists

It's annoying to find your mailbox overflowing with credit card offers and other junk mail every day. It's a waste of resources, and pre-approved credit card solicitations also can set you up for identity theft. There are a few ways to stop the onslaught and reduce the amount of trash going to landfills.

Instructions

1. Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) by mail, or via its online form, and add your name to the Do Not Mail list (see Resources). While this will not put a complete stop to junk mail, it will cut down considerably on the amount. Vendors that belong to the DMA must honor your request and remove your contact information from their lists.

2. Visit the Catalogchoice.org and Mailstopper.Tonic.com websites, and sign up for their opt-out service. Do this even if you've signed up with the Direct Marketing Association, because not all vendors are members of the DMA. Also contact marketing firms such Valpak, and ask to be removed from their mailing lists (see Resources).

3. Call the toll-free telephone number in magazines or on promotional materials and ask to be removed from their mailing list. If there is no telephone number, cut out the mailing label and send it back to the merchant with instructions to remove your name and address from all lists.

4. Call 1-888-5OPT-OUT (888-567-8688), or go to www.optoutprescreen.com to stop pre-approved credit card offers and solicitations. This will prevent the credit bureaus from selling your information for a period of five years or more. You can select the opt-out period when you call or use the website form.

5. If you receive first-class junk mail or items that ask for return or forwarding service, write "Refused Delivery" or "Return to Sender" on the envelope, and put it back into the mail. If the material is pornographic, fill out and attach U.S. Postal Service Form 1500 before sending it back (see Resources). Keep of copy of this complaint for your own record. It is a criminal offense for the sender to mail any other materials to you.

Tips & Warnings

• If a checkout clerk asks for your name and address to add to the store's mailing list, decline to provide that information. When filling out a warranty card or similar form, write "Do not sell, trade or rent my name and address, and do not add me to any mailing lists" at the bottom.

Resources

• Direct Marketing Association
• Valpak
• U.S. Postal Service