When I receive junk mail with a postage-paid envelope included, I take the time to tear off the part of the page that has my name and address printed on it. This is usually the top third of a page, which will have enough info on it to identify the mailing. Then I write on it, in bold lettering, "Remove from mailing list". Then I seal it in the post-paid envelope and mail it back to the sender.
I've done this for a long while, and I can assure you that it has considerably reduced the amount of junk mail that I receive. Only occasionally will a sender ignore my request, and if they persist, I send them back the entire mailing, including the envelope it came in. The theory being that it makes them pay more for the return, and gets the attention of whoever opens the mail, making it harder to ignore my request.
If there isn't a post-paid envelope, I look for a toll-free number and make a phone call to get off the mailing list. This works especially well with unwanted catalogs. If I don't have time to make the call right away, I put it in my "To Call" file, and make a string of calls, when I do have the time. (With catalogs, I tear off the back cover, which has the pertinent address info on it, so I don't make my file too bulky by putting in the whole catalog.)
Just remember, the sooner you do it, the less junk mail you'll have coming in. Mailing lists get traded and sold, so junk mail tends to multiply, exponentially, over time. So, don't just trash it, nip it!
Taking these steps really takes very little time to do, in the moment, and pays off, in the long run. And it not only reduces the amount of junk mail that I have to deal with, but saves a lot of paper! I'm an avid recycler, so I know first-hand how much paper flows through my home, just from stuff that I choose to deal with.
I hope you'll try it and see for yourself how well it works.
By Merry Couponer from Missouri Ozarks
This page contains the following solutions.
I noticed different mail arriving with a spelling mistake in my name. It kept coming, from increasing different sources, including a political party!
You can cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive by registering at dmachoice.org.
Opt out of junk mailings, tele-marketers calls and e-mail lists. It is easy and free:
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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
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.
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. Any time your name, address, and phone number is given to any organizations one is subject to junk mail and unwanted phone calls. Sad, but it's the world we live in and you can't trust any organization to not sell your information.
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.
DMAChoice & DirectMail (National do not mail list)
consumer.ftc.gov/
faq.usps.com/
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/
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.
I apologize for the 'lateness' of this question. A few weeks ago, I read about how you can get product samples and give them to homeless shelters. I LOVE this idea but I have a question for those who order samples. Do you get junk snail mail or other spam because of this? If so, how do you handle this problem?
Hi--I think it was my tip that I submitted that you're referring to! :) So far, I haven't had a big problem with a lot of spam, etc. In some cases, if they ask for an e-mail address, I use one that I rarely use. Then if I get any kind of ad from them I just delete it right away. Also, I just give the bare minimum information--that is, I don't fill in any of the "optional" information boxes. Of course, I can't guarantee that you wouldn't get spam--it depends on the company, I suppose. I just think this is a pretty simple way that I can try to help out, while being on a limited budget myself! Some people may not be comfortable with having to give their information to get the samples, but if you don't mind, it's an easy way to help out! Glad you liked the tip!
Yes, that's one of the big drawbacks of free samples.
If I don't want emails from the company, I'll opt out by choosing the "Unsubscribe" option, generally at the bottom of the email.
I have also gotten some free samples from Walmart. I just fill in the name & address section of the form to receive my sample and I haven't received any junk mail and very minimal junk emails. Many of the companies ask for additional information and if you're willing to review their product, but I choose not to fill in that part of the form.
I have more than 1 address & only give out my dummy address to companies. You are usually allowed more than 1. Hope this helps.
To reduce unwanted mail/phone calls/texts/emails, etc.
Just be sure to opt out of sharing & marketing with every company you do business with/share personal info with.
This is usually done via their privacy policy or by logging into your account and updating your preferences (marketing, security, privacy, your choices, etc.).
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