Stop Unwanted Mail! (and phone calls and email)

The recycle bin.  

This is where 99.5% of all my mail ends up.  Aside from eligible checks I am eligible to receive from class action lawsuit settlements, I have no use for old fashion mail.  

My bank statements, investment accounts, and travel reward card statements are all via email; or I can log on to the corresponding website and review while watching a baseball game.  Some call this multi tasking.

Utility bills?  I get notified through my bill pay when the bill is due.  No paper necessary.

 

In fact, a local credit union is paying me $200 to receive electronic statements (along with two other simple requirements).  I like "free" money.

So go green and save the earth....or at least your sanity.  

Opt out.

Here is how you can do it:

(via FTC)

Consumer Reporting Companies

If you decide that you don't want to receive prescreened offers of credit and insurance, you have two choices: You can opt out of receiving them for five years or opt out of receiving them permanently.

To opt out for five years: Call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. The phone number and website are operated by the major consumer reporting companies.

To opt out permanently: You may begin the permanent Opt-Out process online at www.optoutprescreen.com. To complete your request, you must return the signed Permanent Opt-Out Election form, which will be provided after you initiate your online request.

When you call or visit the website, you'll be asked to provide certain personal information, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out.

If you don't have access to the Internet, you may send a written request to permanently opt out to each of the major consumer reporting companies. Make sure your request includes your home telephone number, name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Experian
Opt Out
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Equifax, Inc.
Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374

Innovis Consumer Assistance

P.O. Box 495

Pittsburgh, PA 15230

Mail

The Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Mail Preference Service (MPS) lets you opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service, your name will be put on a "delete" file and made available to direct-mail marketers and organizations. This will reduce most of your unsolicited mail. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA's Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA's Mail Preference Service, go to www.dmachoice.org, or mail your request with a $1 processing fee to:

DMAchoice
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

Email

The DMA also has an Email Preference Service (eMPS) to help you reduce unsolicited commercial emails. To opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial email from DMA members, visit www.dmachoice.org. Registration is free and good for six years.

So end the need to go to your mailbox on a daily basis to clear out all the junk mail.  This will make you happy and probably increase your mail man's route efficiency.  

Until Next Time,

Craig Turley
NMLS #80917

Craig Turley is a mortgage and finance consultant.  He has 20 years professional business, finance, and management experience as an entrepreneur and corporate executive.  Craig is a 1993 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis finance.