I am trying to help my elderly parents to get their name off mailing lists. I feel they are getting targeted for buying things they really do not need. I have seen this happen to other older people. Please advise me how to stop junk mail as a free service. Thank you.
By Barbara from Boerne, TX
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When I get junk mail I give it back to the postman. He told me I could go on line to USPS.gov and have my name taken off the junk mail list. Going to that site I can't find any link to do so. I would ask you postman about it.
DMAChoice & DirectMail (National do not mail list)
consumer.ftc.gov/
faq.usps.com/
To eliminate a lot of funk mail don't sign up for any free items; don't subscribe to any magazines, don't contribute to charity organizations and don't register to vote. That's a hard one because I vote but I don't like all the junk mail and phone calls from people running for political office.
Political mailers - I deregister to vote after each election - this helps keep my name off public records for long periods of time.
Also, if you vote early this seems to help with some mailers.
This is how to remove yourself from the NCOA list....
National Change of Address (NCOALink) "is a secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records consisting of the names and addresses of individuals, families and businesses who have filed a change-of-address with the USPS".
The USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in Memphis, TN can remove your information from the National Change of Address (NCOA) system. Please email your request to COAHelp@usps.gov, to the attention of Garry Moore, or contact them directly at 866-315-7856 X6453.. You may also cancel the change of address order by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or by visiting www.usps.com and providing the confirmation number.
This is what I did for my aging parents
* Register their address with USPS Informed delivery - this service emails you daily the USPS mail/packages to be delivered (including past residents mail).
Use this service to aid you in requesting removal from unwanted senders - attach the mailers image to your removal request.
* Register them with DMAChoice (caretaker option - there is also a deceased option if needed) & DirectMail (National do not mail list). Be sure to include ALL name/address variations they receive mail in as well as the info listed on their truepeoplesearch listing(s). This website lists info connected to our names - believe me they are receiving mail at these addresses and in these name variations.
* Submit USPS COAs from EVERY old address (even if 10+ years since moved). I was given this tip when a relative passed - you will be surprised what mail is still being delivered to our old addresses.
I do this every 2-4 years (or when move) - this way no matter what address a sender is using they at least have a forwarding address.
* Register them with opt out prescreen to reduce their unwanted credit card offers. Select the permanent option (form to mail in) - this way you never have to revisit topic again.
consumer.ftc.gov/
NOTE: This service will ONLY stop offers that have this program in the fine print.
Customer of CC (current/past/authorized user) - see credit cards privacy policy to limit sharing & marketing. A company can still share & market to us even if the account is closed.
* if they MUST donate - do this anonymously via money order with no contact info.
If they have donated in the past - you will need to contact the charity directly and request removal from their mailing/marketing list.
Remove their info from Infocision - infocis@infocision.com - responsible for unsolicited charity mailers/phone calls.
* Catalogs - If you have ordered something from a catalog, your address and name will likely end up with an alliance of catalog and publishing companies commonly referred to as Abacus. If you want your details to be removed, contact Abacus through email optout@abacus-us.com or through their website.
* Remove from databroker Acxiom - isapps.acxiom.com/
* Remove from databroker Epsilon - www.epsilon.com/
www.epsilon.com/
* Obtain free annual credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis) - consumer.ftc.gov/
Goal is to have one name variation (females - maiden/married - one each), one address variation per correct address listed, no phone numbers listed, no emails listed, etc. Call dispute number and ask CSR what creditors are reporting said info - correct with creditor before disputing. I usually do this the following year after I make sure no other creditor is reporting said info.
Forgot - register their address with CatalogChoice - free service that helps addresses reduce their unwanted USPS mail. Works great for past residents mail.
Aging parents opt out list(I have more if need be)
AAA - cluballiance.aaa.com/
AAA - Life Insurance should stop with above link - if they dont reply and I have other tips.
Postage paid envelope - while waiting for removal to take affect - return with address portion included with note - Remove from mailing list. This helps support the USPS!
AARP - Visit their website, privacy policy at very bottom of webpage, data choices, communication
www.aarp.org/
AARP (deceased) - www.aarp.org/
AARP - NY Life - email removal request to mailto:privacy@newyorklife.com
AARP - Hartford life - email removal request to - ConsumerPrivacyInquiriesMailbox@thehartford.com
AARP - United healthcare - email removal request to - uhg_consumer_affairs@uhg.com
Advise Insurance - privacy@AdviseInsurance.com
Aetna - Contact us on website - member.aetna.com/
Alzheimers association - www.alz.org/
American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org/
American Legion - www.legion.org/
If they have an account - ask for the marketing mailers to stop!
American Senior Benefits - compliance@americanseniorbenefits.com
American Senior Benefits (aka National Response Center & United Freedom Benefits Department)
PO Box 740119, Atlanta, GA & PO 161069, Atlanta, GA
File a complaint to BBB to opt out - www.bbb.org/
Amerigroup - mailto:mspweb@amerigroup.com
Anthem - Privacy.Office@anthem.com
Arbor Day Foundation - www.arborday.org/
Ascension Complete - www.ascensioncomplete.com/
Ascension Saint Thomas - ascension.org/
Assurance (Medicare related) - assurance.com/
Beltone (difficult to stop) - Info@midwestbeltone.com - www.beltone.com/
If all else fails file BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/
Benefits Processing Center (aka LeadPros LLC) - postage permit Asheville, NC Permit No. 422
Postage paid envelope - PO Box 6373, Asheville, NC (permit 176)
File BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/
eHealth Insurance Services (EHI) - Customerservice@ehealthinsurance.com
Globe Life (prepaid envelope) - email removal request to CS@globelifeins.com - www.globelifeinsurance.com/
NOTE: Be sure to mail prepaid envelope with message - Remove from mailing list. Support USPS!
GoHealth (Medicare related) - the mailers have NO return address and a postal imprint/indicia of Palatine, IL Permit #972 - email removal request to customerservice@gohealth.com or file BBB complaint (include pic of mailer) -
www.bbb.org/
Good Sam - difficult to stop - reply to post if need help with this one - if member opt out of sharing & marketing
Hoverround - info@hoveround.com
Humana - NetAdminCorrespondence@humana.com
Ideal concepts, Inc (aka American Insurance Organization, LLC (AIO) - compliance@idealconcepts.com & file BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/
Jackson National Life Insurance Company - www.jackson.com/
K9s for Warriors - info@k9sforwarriors.org
Lead Concepts (Medicare/Mortgage Ins/Life Ins) - (postage imprint Presorted STD Permit 170) - Leadconcepts.com - Chat - Info@leadconcepts.com
Postage paid envelope - PO Box 1170, Owasso, OK
www.bbb.org/
www.bbb.org/
Lead Connections (Medicare) - Leadconnections.com - contact us - BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/
Life alert - wecare@lifealert.com
Lutheran World relief - data-privacy@lwr.org
MADD - www.madd.org/
March of Dimes - donorservice@marchofdimes.com
Miracle Ear - feedback@miracle-ear.com - compliancedept@amplifon.com - www.miracle-ear.com/
MSS - Market Smart Strategies (PO Box 2260, Indianapolis, IN) - Mspowermail.com - Marketing@mspowermail.com
Mutual of Omaha - privacy.office@mutualofomaha.com
National Senior Benefit Services - marketing@nationalseniorbenefitservices.com
Paralyzed Veterans - pva.org/
PETA - Info@peta.org
Physicians Mutual (aka physicians life insurance company) - www.physiciansmutual.com/
Publishers clearing house - pch.custhelp.com/
Senior Supplemental Referral Service (NAL - Need a lead) - design@needalead.com
SingleCare - Support@singlecare.com
St Jude - donors@stjude.org - mailto:privacy@stjude.org
State Farm - apps.statefarm.com/
Stanley Steemer - mailto:privacy@steemer.com - www.stanleysteemer.com/
Together Health (health insurance.com & Medicare Coverage Helpline) - privacy@benefytt.com
Trugreen - customercare@trugreenmail.com
United Advisors (Medicare) - havent found a way to opt out/remove yet - if you find a way let me know
Wellcare - Socialmedia@wellcare.com - call 800-960-2530 Marketing Suppression List - www.wellcare.com/
(Choose option - General Public, Inquiry Category - other, Health Plan - select dept mailer is from ex. Medicare. When entering phone number use this format (555) 555-5555 - use parentheses
NOTE: After removing one name from their mailing list you will receive in other names (past residents). Just keep requesting removal until the mailers stop.
File BBB complaint - www.bbb.org/
Wounded warrior - support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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