Reducing Junk Mail

To cut down on the more than 88 billion pieces of junk mail received in the U.S., here are some steps you can take.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA)

Mail Preference Service (MPS) www.dmaconsumers.org  
To receive less commercial advertising mail, you can register for the DMA’s Mail Preference Service (MPS), which allows you to “opt out” of national mailing lists. This service does not apply to mail sent to your business address. All DMA members are required to run their list of prospective customers against the MPS file, and to remove the individuals who have registered with MPS from their mailings. The service is also available to non-members of The DMA.

This “do not mail” file is updated monthly and distributed four times a year—January, April, July, and October. Your name remains on file for five years. If you move, you must register your new address with MPS to have it affect your new address. You may still continue to receive mail from companies with which you already do business, local merchants, professional and alumni associations, political candidates, office holders and mail addressed to “occupant” or “resident.”

How to register for MPS
There is a $5 processing fee for registering with the MPS service online. You will need a valid credit card to register online at www.dmaconsumers.org  This is the fastest way to begin to see the reduced mailing results of the MPS program.

There is NO charge for registering by mail. However, registering by mail takes longer. If you choose to register by mail, complete the following form, sign it, and mail it to the address at the bottom of the form. (Or write your full name, complete address and signature and mail to the address below). Include the most common variations of your name, but do not include titles. Indicate that you wish to have your name/address removed from mailing lists.

I wish to register for the MPS program.

First Name*:_________ Middle ___Last Name*:_________________________

Street Address*:_____________________________________ Apt. No.______

City*:________________________State*:___________Zipcode*:___________

Signature*:________________________________________________________

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. Mail to: 
MAIL PREFERENCE SERVICE
DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION
P. O. BOX 643 
CARMEL NY 10512

If you are already doing business with a company (or companies), you will remain on their mailing lists. However, you may wish to ask that your information not be shared or sold to others.

E-Mail Preference Service (e-MPS)
This service allows consumers to indicate that they wish to reduce the amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail they receive. Consumers register and, for security purposes, re-confirm their individual registration with the e-Mail Preference Service (e-MPS). You may register for the DMA’s E-mail Preference Service at www.dmaconsumers.org/optoutform_emps.shtml.

Deceased Do Not Contact List (DDNC) 
When you register a name with DDNC, the person’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address is placed on a special “do not contact” file used by all DMA members. This service is also available to non-members of DMA. The file is distributed to members at least once every three months.

There is a $1 credit card verification fee for each person registered to help prevent fraudulent entries. You can register online at https://preference.the-dma.org/cgi/ddnc.php  

Other Resources

Opting Out of Pre-Approved Offers (credit cards and insurance offers)
You can remove your name from prescreened credit card or insurance offer mailing lists from Experian, Innovis, TransUnion and Equifax by calling 888 5OPT OUT (888-567-8688). 
You will be given a choice to opt out for two years or permanently. If you elect to opt out permanently, you will be mailed a Notice of Election to Opt Out Permanently, which you must sign and return to activate your permanent opt-out. Even though your request becomes effective within five days of notification, it may take several months before you see a reduction in the amount of solicitations. 

Product Registration Cards (Warranty Cards)
It’s important to complete and return a warranty card so that you can be advised of any product recalls—include your name, address and the product’s serial number. However, if you complete questions about your purchasing habits, income, marital status, hobbies, etc., this information may be used to develop a consumer profile sold to direct marketers. Some cards have a “check off” box you can check to keep from having your information sold. If there is none, and you decide to complete information about yourself, include a note saying that you want your name kept private.

Magazines – If you are moving
The U.S. Postal Service will only forward your magazines for 60 days. Through a partnership with a network of publishers nationwide, OneSwitch will ensure all your magazines (residential use only) move with you. Call OneSwitch toll-free at 1-888-255-7982, Monday - Friday 9:00a.m.- 10:00 p.m. For faster service have your magazine labels available when you call. To protect your privacy, opt for the “no call, no mail” file so that they do not release your information to other companies.


Mail Addressed to “Resident” or “Occupant”
To decrease the number of coupons and flyers you receive, contact the following companies. Include your full name and address (do not use abbreviations for the street name).

• ADVO Inc.
Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 249
Windsor, CT 06095
www.advo.com

• Experian
Call 1-800-228-4571 x4819 to be removed from its coupon, catalog and telemarketing 
list.

• Harte Hanks Direct Marketing 
1-800-456-9748
Call to be removed from mailing, phone and email lists

• Money Mailer
14271 Corporate Drive
Garden Grove, CA 92843
800-234-2771
info@moneymailer.com 


Val-Pak Coupons
Complete the mailing list removal request form at www.coxtarget.com/removal_request.html  

Return to Sender
For junk mail received by first class mail, you can write “Return to Sender. Take me off your mailing list.” For bulk-mail accompanied by a postage-paid envelope, return the envelope with a note to “Take me off your mailing list” and be sure to include your address or address label. 

Bank, Credit Union, Mortgage and Credit Card Companies 
Contact your bank(s), credit union, mortgage and credit card companies and ask that they not release your name, address, social security number, email address or phone number to another party for marketing, mailing or promotional purposes.

Sweepstakes, Prizes and Contests
Check privacy notices and do not participate if you cannot “opt out” of having your information exchanged or sold to others. Publishers Clearinghouse and Readers Digest do NOT rent their lists. To be removed from the three major sweepstakes mailers, contact:
• American Family Publishers, P.O. Box 62000, Tampa, FL 33662
• Publishers Clearinghouse, 101 Channel Drive, Post Washington, NY 11050, 800-645-9242
• Readers Digest Sweepstakes, Readers Digest Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570


Charities and Non-profit Organizations

When donating, always include a note requesting that the organization not share your information with anyone else. In many instances you can call or write to the organization to get off their mailing lists. Some organizations rent lists and do not keep them. In order to delete your name, save the mailing label and reply form from the mailing since it is usually coded. Ask the organization that mailed you the solicitation who they rented the list from and then contact that company.

Others to Contact
Contact mail-order companies you’ve done business with, organizations and airline frequent flyer/hotel programs you belong to, cable tv, satellite tv, phone companies and others. Ask that they not share your personal information with anyone else. 


Junk Mail Reduction Service

For $10, you can sign up with Private Citizen and have them contact the eight largest list sales and junk mail firms. According to Private Citizen, “one firm mails 350 million ads a week. Another sells data on 90% of Americans.” Go to www.privatecitizen.com.