How to Stop Catalog Junk Mail

Catalogs are magazines designed to sell and advertise products for a particular company.

Sometimes your mailbox may get filled with "junk mail." Junk mail often consists of fliers, coupons, advertisements and catalogs. If you are getting many unwanted catalogs, you can take steps to stop these companies from sending you catalogs.

Instructions

1. Return the mail to the sender. Gather up your recently received catalogs. Using a marker or pen, draw a line over the mailing address and bar code. Leave the return address visible. Write "Refused, Return to Sender" on the catalog and drop it in the mailbox. This sends the catalogs back to the sender and hopefully, the sender removes you from its mailing list.

2. Write a request to the company. If returning the mail does not work, try to write the company through email or snail mail. Look for the company website address on the catalog. Go online and look for the "Contact Us" portion of the site. Find a feedback form or an email address. Write a polite letter to the company explaining that you are not interested in its products and would like to be removed from its mailing list. Include your name and address in the email. Send a written letter to the company by locating its mailing address from the catalog or website.

3. Stop local business catalogs. All mailings have identifiable marks or text on them for the post office. Many local bundles of fliers and catalogs are delivered from the same place. The companies that handle these bundles vary by location. Look for an advertisement card in the bundle, such as a missing child card. Oftentimes, the company in charge of these bundles has its address and phone number listed on these cards. Call the company and politely request that no more of its mail be sent to you.

4. Return mail that does not belong to you by writing "Return to Sender: Resident Moved" near the address location on the catalog. Drop the catalog in the mailbox.

Tips & Warnings

• When you apply for credit or order products from companies, the companies may share or sell your address. To help prevent getting additional junk mail, ask the companies you deal with not to share or sell your personal information.

References

• Obviously: Do-It-Yourself - Stop Junk Mail, Email and Phone Calls

Resources

• 41Pounds: Reclaim Your Mailbox