How to Get My Address Off of a Junk Mail List?
Junk mail clogs your mailbox unless you know how to stop it. Marketers target you with ads, fliers and promotions, whether or not you've done business with them in the past. They get your address from their own files, publicly available records and lists purchased from other companies. You can get your address removed from most marketing databases and halt the flurry of unwanted mail if you know the correct process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service through its DMAChoice.org website, the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, advises. Many junk mail senders are association members. They honor consumer requests to be removed from their lists. The removal lasts for three years and can be renewed when it expires.
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Fill out a request to stop the credit bureaus from selling your information through the Optoutprescreen.com website. The FTC explains that Equifax, Experian and TransUnion sell certain information to companies that pre-screen you for credit and insurance offerings through the mail. You can stop such offers for five years through the website's electronic form or permanently by printing out and mailing in a form from the site.
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Call companies with whom you currently do business if they send you junk mail. They often create mailing lists from their customer database. Ask to be excluded from their lists and tell them you do not want your address sold to other businesses.
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Remove the mailing label from any junk mail that comes after you have opted out of Direct Marketing Association mailings and send it to the company with a removal request. Not all junk mailers belong to the DMA. You must make a direct request to each individual company that is still sending mail. Sending the label will ease the removal process because it helps the company find your record in the database.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not give your address to retailers when there is no specific reason to provide it. Sometimes it is required for a legitimate purpose. For example, a store may need it to deliver your purchase when you're buying furniture or appliances. Often retailers ask for your address so you can be added to their junk mail list, and they may make money selling it to other companies. Refuse to give it out so you don't get added to more lists.
Beware of signing up for prize drawings, PrivacyRightsClearinghouse.org warns. Many companies use contests to gather names, addresses and phone numbers for junk mail lists and sales calls. Read the fine print on the entry form to see whether you are giving permission for solicitations when you fill it out.
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