How to Stop Direct Mailing
Eliminate almost all the junk mail you currently receive by removing your address from mailing lists, informing businesses you interact with you don't want your address sold to mailing lists, and taking precautions when filling out a change of address form.
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Instructions
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Visit the Direct Marketing Association's website, register with the mail preference services and choose to stop all direct mail, or just categories of direct mail you don't want. Your registration is valid for five years.
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Call 888-567-8688 to remove your name from consumer reporting agencies that send you credit card offers. This one call will stop the offers and permanently remove your name and address from their list.
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Request a privacy designation of your name, address and phone number from businesses you regularly interact with. This can be done by a phone call or letter to banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, cable companies, phone companies and any other business that sends you unwanted direct mail.
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Do not fill out a permanent change of address form with the U.S. Post office when moving. Instead, fill out a temporary change of address and have your mail forwarded to your new address for 10 months. Permanent address changes are shared with third parties, while temporary changes are not.
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Make sure your phone number is unlisted or does not include your address. Unlisted phone numbers can't be sold to third parties.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't send in warranty cards unless necessary; they contain questions about personal information that can be sold.
Don't fill out special offers to get free merchandise at events. They will ask for your address and send you related catalogs and mail in the future.
References
Resources
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