CPA QUICK REFERENCE
Information for Consumers

HOW TO GET YOUR NAME OFF JUNK MAIL LISTS
(RS210) 

Getting and keeping your name off these lists takes some work on your part – you’ll probably never be 100% successful – but with perseverance, determination and a small investment in postage, you can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive and reclaim control of your mailbox.

National Mailing Lists

Mail order companies, catalogues, credit cards, magazines and thousands of other businesses and organizations get names and addresses through the rental of mailing lists of other businesses and organizations. You can have your name eliminated from many lists with one letter by writing to:

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY  11735-9008

Credit Cards and Other Accounts

Contact you credit card companies, stores where you maintain accounts, magazines to which you subscribe, charities or organizations to which you donate money or other gifts and professional or trade organizations to which you belong. Notify their customer service department that you don’t want your name and address “rented” out.

Telephone Books & Reverse Directories

Information listed in the telephone book is available to anyone. Mailing list companies compile information from these “public” records and sell it. If you’re listed in the White Pages, with your name, address and phone number, you’re also listed in the telephone company’s “reverse directories.” To lessen the chance of getting on lists created from this source:

· List only your phone number in your local directory.
· Tell your phone company to remove your listing from its “street address directory.”

Also write to the following major directory companies and tell them to remove your name:

Haines & Co.
Criss-Cross Directory
Attn: Director of Data Processing
8050 Freedom Avenue, NW
North Canton, OH  44720

R.L. Polk & Co.
Attn: List Suppression Files
26955 Northwestern Highway
South Field, MI  48034

These companies compile information based on consumer preferences and characteristics, then sell the lists. They get their information from companies you do business with who tell them how much you owe and how you pay your bills as well as other vital data. This is where all those pre-approved offers of credit come from. Write and tell them to remove you from their mailing lists:

Equifax Options
Equifax Marketing Decision Systems
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA  30374-0123

Experian (TRW) 
Target Marketing Services Division
Attn: Consumer Opt-Out
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX  75013

Trans-Union
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 7245
Fullerton, CA  92637

When you register for prizes, sweepstakes or other giveaways, you can bet you name and address will go on lists to be used for marketing. If you do sign up, check the “opt out” box (if there is one) so you name won’t be included on any lists. Get your name removed from major sweepstakes mailers by writing:

Publisher’s Clearinghouse
101 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 10050

Reader’s Digest
Reader’s Digest Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570

American Family Publishers
P.O. Box 6200
Tampa, FL  33662

When you fill out those product registration cards that come with new purchases, you may be providing information about yourself and your lifestyle that can be added to lists and sold. Your receipt will generally serve in the event of any warranty service you may need. Write and ask to be removed from the mailing list of:

National Demographics and Lifestyles
List Order Department
1621 18th St., Suite 300
Denver, CO  80202

You can’t do much about information that’s garnered from public records such as birth and marriage certificates, home sales and divorces, but you can ask to be taken off lists that are compiled from such information. Write to the following contacts:

R.L Polk & Co.
List Compilation
26955 Northwestern Highway
South Field, MI  48034

First Data Info-Source
Donnelley Marketing, Inc.
Data Base Operations
1235 “N” Avenue
Nevada, IA  50201

Metromail Corp.
List Maintenance
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE  68521

Database America
Compilation Department
100 Paragon Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645

Acxiom Corporation
Consumer Advocate
301 Industrial Blvd.
Conway, AR  72033

Those price scanners may help businesses keep track of their inventory and may save you a little money, but their primary purpose is to gather and provide information for marketing. If you value your privacy more than the money you might save, opt out of “buyer’s clubs,” too.

Remember, every time you pay for purchases with your automatic teller card or credit card (and card the is “swiped” through a scanner), that information may be compiled and sold.

Nonprofit Organizations

It’s a bit more difficult to get your name removed from the lists of charities and non-profit organizations. Among the pieces included in most mailings is a reply card that will include your name and address. It should also contain a mailcode. Using this code, write the sender of the solicitation to find out where they got their list, then write the list owner and tell them to remove your name from their list. When you do join or give, make sure you tell the organization to keep your name off any list they might rent to or exchange with others.

Ad Supplements

Another source of junk mail are the lists of direct mailers of flyers and advertising supplements that generally arrive in bulk in your mailbox on certain days of the week or month. To get off these lists, find the postcard that accompanies the flyers (it will have your address printed on it). This will contain the name and address of the company that distributes the flyers and to whom you will write. Include a copy of the label that contains your address. It may take a while to get off the list (allow six to eight weeks), but the wait will be worth it.

Still Getting Junk Mail?

Consumer Protection Association of America will actively pursue any complaints on your behalf with direct marketing companies or other organizations which continue to mail to you after you’ve requested to be taken off their list. You can file a complaint with CPAA on-line at www.consumerpro.com.

CONSUMER PROTECTION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

When you receive more than you expect...let the business know with CPAA's Thank You! card. And, when you don't, use CPAA's You Blew It! card. As a member, you receive copies of both to hand out in person...or, send them via e-mail using the links provided. 

If you need to, file a complaint following CPAA's guidelines and sample complaint letter. And, if the business still doesn't do the "right thing", you can file a formal complaint with CPAA. We can even provide formal arbitration services if needed. 

Other Summary Sheets you might find of interest: 

• How to Hang Up on Telemarketers For Good 
• How To Keep Your Information Private