Junk Mail & Telemarketing

What is Junk Mail & Telemarketing?

Junk mail, or advertising mail, issued by businesses includes advertising circulars, catalogs, CDs, preapproved credit cards and other commercial merchandising materials. Its sole purpose is to gain customers by sending offers through either email or direct mail. Telemarketing, which is a variant of junk mail, is a method of direct marketing in which a sales representative solicits prospective customers over the phone. Although these two types of unsolicited marketing strategies may seem harmless, they actually place individuals at risk for identity theft:

• Pre-approved credit offers allow thieves to open fraudulent credit lines
• Junk mail allow thieves to obtain personal information, like social security and account numbers
• Online spam mail can unleash viruses, allowing hackers to access confidential information

It is important to reduce these risks as much as possible by opting out of as many unsolicited offers as possible.

How to Stop Junk Mail & Telemarketers

To stop unsolicited emails, direct mail and phone calls, individuals can utilize services designed to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of junk mail they receive. Below is a list of companies and/or organizations that will help individuals to opt-out of unsolicited offers free of charge, although the Direct Marketing Association charges $1.00 per request.

Experian, TransUnion and Equifax’s Opt-Out Option

All three credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, offer the option of opting out of all credit-related offers, including emails and phone offers, for a minimum of two years or permanently. If the permanent opt-out option is chosen, then individuals will need to fill out and return an additional form through the mail. Keep in mind that there is always an option of opting-in if individuals would like to receive offers again.

Opt-out number: 888-567-8688

Experian also offers an additional service that removes individuals’ names from non-credit offers from their lists. This includes coupons, samples, catalogs, and other spam mail.

Experian’s opt-out number: 402-458-5247

List of brokers

Individuals can also opt-out of receiving unsolicited offers by contacting the companies that sell mailing lists to businesses. In order for an individual’s name to be removed from their lists, individuals must write to them directly, fill out an online form, or go through a government agency. It will generally take a few months to see a reduction in the number of offers received. Below is a list of their names and addresses:

1) Direct Marketing Association

Direct Marketing Association, or DMA, is a direct marketing organization that provides over 3,400 companies, including half of the Fortune 100 companies, with advertising lists. However, they also provide these companies with opt-out lists for individuals who do not wish to be on any of DMA’s marketing lists. It generally takes three to six months before being removed from their lists once a request has been processed. Individuals’ names will be kept off DMA’s lists for five years.

In order to be removed from DMA’s direct advertising lists, individuals must either send a request through the mail or through their online mailing list form. DMA charges $1.00 per request. Contact Information:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service P.O. Box 282 Carmel, NY 10512

Website: https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action

To be removed from DMA’s telemarketing lists, individuals are instructed to go through the Federal Government’s national Do Not Call directory, where they will be prompted to fill out an online form.

Website: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

If individuals would like to be removed from DMA’s email lists, then DMA provides a free online form to fill out:

Website: http://www.ims-dm.com/cgi/optoutemps.php

2) Dun and Bradstreet

Dun and Bradstreet, voted by Fortune Magazine as one of America’s most admired companies, provides businesses and organizations with mailing lists, market research, industry statistics, telemarketing lists and new product development. For individuals who would like to be taken off their advertising lists, please write to:

Dun & Bradstreet Customer Service 899 Eaton Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18025

3) Metromail Corporation

Metromail Corporation is a leading provider of direct marketing, database marketing, and reference products. It provides businesses and organizations that engage in direct mail, telephone, and target marketing with information and software services. For those who would like to be taken off their lists, please write to:

Metromail Corporation List Maintenance 901 West Bond Lincoln, NE 68521

4) R.L. Polk & Co.

R.L. Polk & Co. is the leading provider of automotive information and marketing. They collect and interpret global data as well as provide automotive business expertise. Specifically, R.L. Polk & Co. provides companies, such as car manufacturers and dealers, with marketing plans and lists. To be taken off their advertising lists, please write to:

R.L. Polk & Co. List Compilation Development 26955 Northwestern Hwy Southfield, MI 48034-4716

5) Database America

Database America, one of the largest marketing list resellers in the U.S., provides companies with business and consumer lists as well as marketing services and data processing. To be taken off their marketing lists, write to:

Database America Compilation Department 470 Chestnut Ridge Road Woodcliff, NJ 07677