“Opting Out” From Direct Mail

In today’s society, it is almost a certainty that everyone’s name appears on some mailing list somewhere. There are thousands upon thousands of lists that are constantly being compiled and updated with your most recent information. When you buy a car, purchase a new home, fill out a warrantee or change of address card, or even purchase a pack of gum with a customer loyalty card, your information is being added to a list. 

Many people find direct mail informative and do not mind receiving it, but for those of you who do not fall into this category, we would like to inform you that you can “opt out.”  This term refers to the practice of alerting various companies to the fact that you no longer wish to remain on their mailing or call lists.  Please keep in mind that while the following methods are likely to greatly decrease your direct mail, they are not likely to ensure complete removal from ALL lists.

• Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service at www.the-dma.org to be removed from their mailing list.  Please note that in order to process your request, the DMA charges a $1.00 fee.  This is payable by credit card, check or money order.  The DMA is the oldest and largest trade association for the users and suppliers in the direct, database and interactive marketing field.  Sending a request to DMA to have your name and address removed form their mailing list can significantly reduce your unsolicited mail load.
• You can contact the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, Equifax, etc.) to request removal from their mailing lists for all pre-approved credit card and insurance offers at 888-567-8688 or visit www.optoutprescreen.com
• Contact Experian Consumer Services in order to remove your name from non-credit offers from Experian lists.  Typical non-credit offers could consist of items such as samples, catalogs, and promotional flyers. The number for this service is 402-458-5247.
• If you are still receiving mail in the name of a deceased spouse or family member, you may contact the DMA and list the information of the deceased individual on the Deceased Do Not Contact List (DDNC). All DMA members are required to honor this list and it is available for non-members and non-profit organizations. Please keep in mind that sometimes, such as in the case of joint accounts or mortgages, even though a death certificate has been filed, it may appear that the deceased individual’s account is still active, on paper. Consequently, the name may still appear on lists.
• Please keep in mind that in addition to these methods, you can always call the individual company and request that they remove you from their mailing or call list. Lists are updated several times annually, so once you have requested removal or registered with these organizations, you should notice a decrease within three months.
• To remove your name from all telephone solicitation lists, you must visit www.donotcall.gov to subscribe to the National Do Not Call Registry.   Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at the abovementioned website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.