How to Stop Unaddressed Mail
Each year 100 million trees are used to produce unwanted mail. Unaddressed mail, or UAM, is often referred to as junk mail. Unsolicited mail usually comes in the form of catalogs, advertising pieces, promotional offers and more. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 6.5 million tons of junk mail entered the United States municipal solid waste stream in 2006. Follow the below steps to stop unaddressed mail from entering your mailbox.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Paper
- Unwanted mail including address labels and address and/or phone number of company sending
Instructions
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How to Stop Unaddressed Mail
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If you are receiving unwanted catalogs and solicitations, it is most likely because your name and address has been sold as part of a database. Contact The Direct Marketing Association, DMA, by visiting their website, www.dmachoice.org. Ask for your name and address to be removed from all mailing lists. DMA represents thousands of direct marketing companies, both commercial and nonprofit. Once you have made the request to be on DMA's "no mail list" it takes approximately three months to take effect. Your name and address will remain on the list for five years.
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Contact the companies that are mailing the unaddressed mail. Contact them by telephone and ask your name to be removed from the mailing list. It is important to have a mailing label to look at in case the company inquires about specific information. Make sure to ask where the company received your name and contact information. By asking, you will be able to pinpoint who has sold your name and address.
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If you receive too many credit card offers, calling 1-888-5 OPT OUT is a free line set up by the Federal Trade Commission. Dialing the phone number will allow those receiving pre-approved credit offers to be deleted from a mailing list. The list is for all three credit bureaus---Transunion, Experian and Exuifax.
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Finally, remember to guard your name, address and other contact information. Many times companies you do business with including retailers, banks and other businesses sell your information. Before giving out your name and address inquire why it is needed. Ask if it will be sold or used by any other company besides the one you are directly doing business with. Safeguarding your information can stop unwanted mail from appearing in your mailbox on a regular basis.
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