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Because I have had my mailbox contents robbed, I am especially annoyed at the unsolicited multitude of credit card/loan mailings every day. I attempted to write "refused" and my name on the envelope, but the mailman refused to take them. I do shred them as I get them, but I am looking for a way to stop this unwanted litter. A friend told me that she shreds everything but the prepaid envelope. Then she puts a blank piece of paper in the prepaid return envelope and mails it. It won't stop the mailings but it will cost the offending company a little more of their profit. I'm going to start doing that as well. If anyone else has a cost/time effective way of dealing with this, I'd love to hear it.
SS
Easy as One Call
The major credit agencies all sell aggregate credit information to any bidder. Direct mail and credit companies generate mail based on demographics including zip code, income band and credit payment patterns. Stopping this is easy. You just need your address, former address within two years, and social security number. One call does it all for agencies Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Innovis. Dial 1-888-5 OPT OUT (or 1-888-567-8688) 24 hours a day.
Lorraine
Write to the Reporting Agencies
If you would like your name taken off all pre-approved credit solicitations you can write the following credit reporting agencies. Please be sure to include your name, current address and Social Security Number:
Experian
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013
Equifax
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
TransUnion Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094
Jean
Contact Direct Marketing to Get Removed From Lists
A great way to get rid of that unwanted mail is to contact Direct Marketing (Mail Preference Service). You can reach them at:
www.dmachoice.org You can register online for $5.00 or by mail for free. You will need to update every five years or if you change addresses. They also have the ability to take your name off telemarketing lists and e-mail lists. You will need to fill out forms for each. I did this for the first time 7 years ago and I've loved it. Within 3 months I stopped the "junk mail" and the telemarketers. I've always wondered why people pay the phone company to stop telemarketers when you can do it yourself.
Alicia
Stuff and Return
I've found it very effective to stuff everything that came in the envelope, including the outer envelope, back into the prepaid one and just send it back. I rarely receive anything a second time. They usually take the hint. I also found this on ecofuture.org: "The Mail Preference Service division of the Direct Marketing Association (known as DMA) compiles a list of people who do not want junk mail. This list is provided to any company who requests it, usually magazines.
May Be Worth Putting A Fraud Alert
You will also stop getting unsolicited credit card offers if you put a fraud alert on your credit report. It will make it more cumbersome when you apply for loans, but the trade off might be worth it!
Lanette
Website to Check Out
JunkStopper at junkstopper.com has a lot of info on stopping unwanted junk mail, including phone numbers for the three credit reporting agencies which is who you need to contact to stop the credit card solicitations.
DB
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