A Few Steps can Stop Unwanted Mail

First of all, get removed from senders' mailing lists. When unwanted mail is received, tear off the mailing label and remove the pre-addressed envelope. Write a note requesting to be removed from the mailing list and mail the note and label back to the company using the pre-addressed envelope.

To stop future unwanted mail, register with a service such as the Mail Preference Service, sponsored by the Direct Marketing Association. This service will decrease the amount of national nonprofit or commercial mail received. After registration, the mailing name and address are placed on a "delete" list for 5 years. The delete list is available to business subscribers four times a year in January, April, July and October. If the request is not received at the exact time a list is being made available, mail may continue to be received for up to 3 months.

To register with the Mail Preference Service send requests to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643 Carmel, N.Y. 10512. Be sure to include all the names in which unwanted mail is received, for example, Mrs. John Doe, Jane Doe, Jane M. Doe and J.M. Doe. All variations of a name and names of other family members are necessary, as the names are matched with an address and sorted by computer.

Registering with Mail Preference Service will not stop all unwanted mail. Some businesses do not belong to the organization and will not receive notices to take names off their lists. Local organizations will need to be contacted directly. If mail from a local business is received with a stamped envelope, return the stamped envelope with a note requesting name removal. Also, Mail Preference Service does not affect mail addressed to current residents or occupants.

To avoid being placed on mailing lists, be cautious about giving out an address at businesses, expositions, etc. The information provided may be used for a mailing list. Also, ask mail order companies not to give or sell personal information. Address information will be put on an in-house only list and will not be released to other direct marketers.