The amount of paper junk mail sent each year in the USA is staggering -- some 4 million tons, nearly half of which is never opened.
Do you get catalogs, magazines, or junk mail that you don't want? Take the action of removing yourself from the mailing list to save paper and resources used for production and transportation of this mail.
If you receive unwanted catalogs:
AKA, magazines that are filled with products for you to buy, e.g. Fossil, Newport News, Body Central. Have the catalog ready and call the toll-free number on the back. Ask to be removed from the mailing list and be ready to give out your name, address, and code that is located on the back of the catalog.
A couple days ago, I cancelled all of my mom's catalogs that she barely looked through and would just throw away as soon as she got them. It took me about 30 minutes on the phone to cancel 19 of her catalogs. All of the representatives on the phone were more than happy to help and did not pressure me to continue to receive their catalog.
If you receive unwanted junk mail:
If it is first-class mail, cross out the address and bar code, circle the first class postage, and write "refused: return to sender". You can then put it in any mail box.
If it is bulk mail, you may not be able to stop it. it is the trickiest kind to stop but if "address correction requested" is written on the label, circle "address correction requested" and treat like first class mail.
If you receive unwanted credit offers:
If you are getting credit offers from the agencies Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and/or Innovis, call 1-888-5 OPT OUT (or 1-888-567-8688), available 24 hours a day. Have your mailing address and social security number ready.
If you receive unwanted AOL disks:
Call 1-800-605-4297, available 24 hrs a day. Tell them that your first name is "Current", last name "Resident".
If you receive unwanted local business and supermarket fliers:
If you get the fliers that have advertisements and pictures of missing children, call 1-860-285-6100 to get off the list. You may have to send a postcard to "ADVO Consumer Assistance, POB 249, Windsor CT 06095-4176".
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To deal with junk mail as a whole, start by sending a postcard or letter to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643 Include your complete name, address, zip code and a request to "activate the preference service". For up to five years, this will stop mail from all member organizations that you have not specifically ordered products from.
To prevent future junk mail, use some of these tips:
1. Whenever you donate money, order a product or service, or fill out a warranty card, write in large letters, "Please do not sell my name or address". Most organizations will properly mark your name in the computer.
2. On the telephone, ask "Please mark my account so that my name is not traded or sold to other companies".
3. Avoid filling out entry cards for contests or sweepstakes, as they will use your name and address to send you junk mail.
source: http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/