Want To Stop Junk Mail?

Most consumers know how to stop unwanted telemarketing calls by going to the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call site and completing the online request form. However far fewer of us know how to stop the never-ending mailers from marketers and insurance and credit card companies. It is just as easy to do!

First, for general marketing mailers, you can register at the Direct Marketing Associations (DMA) consumer website, DMA Choice. Please note that there is a $2 processing fee for the service. This organization also provides you with an option to register to reduce unsolicited commercial email.

Next, you can stem those monthly credit card and insurance offers. The major credit bureaus have jointly created a website, OptOutPrescreen.com, to give consumers the option of opting out of these mailers for five years, or permanently. Alternatively, individuals can call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688). While the five-year option can be completed online, the permanent option requires an additional step--a signed Permanent Opt-Out Election Form mailed to the specified address.

The site will ask for name, address, and telephone number, and although it also requests a social security number and date of birth, the latter information is not required in order to complete the online form.

Do be careful when you complete a request online. The site also features an opt-in selection. In fact, it is pre-selected (a default setting). So unless you read carefully, you could easily opt in instead of opt out.

So with a few minutes' time, and a minimum of keystrokes, you can substantially reduce the number of unwanted mailers that you receive. Just think--you'll be able to do something fun instead of passing credit card offers through your shredder! And by the way, these offers SHOULD BE shredded. Some contain sufficient information to enable thieves to open a line of credit in your name. So OPT OUT if you want a break from shredding.

Be vigilant Stay safe