Well, even if you cannot stop it completely, you can probably reduce the amount of junk mail you receive through the USPS every day.
How much is that?
If it is anything like the mail I receive, it is the overwhelming majority of the snail mail that I receive.
What can you do to alleviate the problem?
1. Stop the credit reporting companies from selling your information. It is not uncommon for companies to sell information about you, such as on what you might be spending money. The credit reporting companies then package this information based on spending habits, income characteristics, zip codes and the like. But, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681, require these companies to honor a consumers' list-removal request. Supposedly, you can call 1-888-8688 and opt out.
2. Direct mail and sweepstakes. Do you have a dollar. Why there is a fee for this is beyond me, but it is only a buck. You can go online with the Direct Marketing Association and opt out of junk mail lists. They are required to do this by law. Go to their website by CLICKING HERE.
3. Catalogs. With the Internet you would think catalogs would die off, but they have not. This is especially true if you have purchased something in the past from a catalog. Then Double Click records this and sells your information and preferences to all of the other catalog companies. You are suppose to be able to opt out of these as well. Supposedly, you can email them at optout@abacus-direct.com and tell then to leave you off the lists. You have to provide them your first, middle and last name as well as your current and most recent past address.
When you think about it, not only will stopping all of this mail give you a little relief it will also go a long way in saving our planet. Green is good in more ways than one.
Good luck.
Great article, Chuck! I just stumbled onto an interesting resource for the junk mail plague: www.greendimes.com. I haven't tried it, but I sure am interested.
Posted by: Andrew Flusche | June 16, 2008 at 06:01 PM