About 44 percent of junk mail that is sent out each year is thrown away, never to be opened. Each time you sign up for a service or give a business your name and address, you run the risk of having that information sold to other organizations, which in turn may send you junk mail each year. Follow these steps to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive for up to 5 years.
Write, "Please do not sell my name or address," on warranty cards or other documents you fill out when you purchase a product or service.
2
Think twice before sending in warranty cards to manufacturers; most of the time, they are used for marketing purposes.
3
Call your credit card companies and tell them you do not wish to have your name or address sold.
4
Avoid filling out contest forms. This is a sure way to get lots of junk mail.
5
Send first-class junk mail back to the sender. Circle the stamp and write, "Refused: Return to sender."
6
Fill out forms 1500, 2150 or 2201 with the U.S. Postal Service to stop sexually explicit mail.
7
Contact (888) 567-8688 to stop credit card offers. Have your previous address and social security number ready. This will cover most credit agencies.
8
Dial America Online at (800) 827-6364 to stop receiving discs.
9
Give Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes a call at (800) 645-9242 to stop sweepstakes mail. Or send a fax to (800) 453-0272. You can also send a request to 101 Channel Dr., Port Washington NY 11050. Be sure to list each name you want removed from the mailing list as it appears in the mail you receive.
Tips & Warnings
Call (800) 237-2400 to stop receiving American Family Sweepstakes information.
Get in touch with the Direct Marketing Association (see www.DMAConsumers.org) for more information about how to stop junk mail.
Nov 22, 2005
Put junk mail into the paid envelope the business sent you and write on it "not interested."