How to Write to Stop Junk Mail
When you learn that each year some 100 million trees are crushed and 28 billion gallons of water are consumed to send Americans useless or meaningless correspondence, you begin to deeply savor the adage "less is more." Thankfully, the power of your pen can make a difference. From short notations on forms to mail-in letters, add a little patience and your straightforward notifications can suppress junk-mail effectively. You can also use your "e-pen" to directly notify notorious junk-mail originators on their websites or use online services to deliver and confirm your opt-out requests.
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Instructions
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Create a Template
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Craft a form letter that you can use to opt out of a variety of mail lists. You can adjust this letter as needed depending on the junk-mail sender's requirements.
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Create a placeholder for the date, department, company name and address of your recipient. Then, greet your recipient with "To Whom It May Concern:."
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Begin the body of your letter with "Please remove my name from your marketing lists." Next, list your name, different variations of your name, the names of others in your household who also wish to opt out of mailings, and your address. Add "I have attached my mailing label for your further guidance."
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Conclude with "Thank you for promptly handling my request." Add "Respectfully yours," and then sign your name above your printed name.
Notify Junk Mailers
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Write "Do not sell or rent my name" beside your name on any form that requests your personal information. Typically you provide this information when you buy or subscribe to a product or service, enter a contest or send in a warranty card. Forgo mailing back warranty cards altogether; they have little use beyond harvesting your information for reuse.
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Write "Refused. Return to sender" on any worthless first-class bulk mail you receive with the notation "Address correction requested" or "Return postage guaranteed." Note that this will not work on third-class bulk mail. However, you may use any postage-paid reply envelope enclosed in these pieces to mail your opt-out request letter along with your mailing label.
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Register with the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Mail Preference Service. DMA is the nation's largest provider of direct-mail lists. You may register online for free or by regular mail for one dollar (as of January 2011). Hit the "Register" button on their website to submit your name, address and a credit card number that confirms your address. Alternatively, download DMA's form and mail them a completed copy along with a check or money-order for the current fee.
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Adapt and mail your form letter to major list brokers such as Acxiom Corporation, R.L. Polk and Company and Donnelly Marketing. Also mail your letter directly to the various companies that send you catalogs, phone books, coupons, ads and product samples that you do not care to receive.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient. You may have to wait a few months before you see a noticeable difference in the amount of junk mail you receive.
When you mail an opt-out letter, always include the mailing label that came with the item you received. Before your mail a letter, though, check the items for any opt-out toll-free phone numbers. A quick phone call could save you postage.
To opt out of all credit card offers in one move, call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). Follow the recorded prompts to provide your name, address and social security number. Press "3" to remove your name permanently or "1" for a two-year reprieve.
New American Dream has an opt-out letter generator on its website for various credit card, direct mail and miscellaneous solicitations. Key in your name, address and phone number to personalize pre-addressed and pre-formatted letters.
For a fee, 41pounds.org can "contact dozens of companies on your behalf to stop your junk mail and protect the environment." Similarly, CatalogChoice can deliver and monitor your opt-out notifications on a free or paid basis.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit mailbox image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
