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In this day and age, it is common for people to receive mail from entities or individuals that they do not know. These mailings usually come from legitimate companies that are trying to promote their products, which may include weight loss supplements, clothing, printer cartridges, subscriptions, and others. Some call them advertisements and others call it junk mail, these direct mailing from sellers can be stopped if you know how to take the right measures to get off their mailing lists.
Why Do I Get Junk Mails?
Junk mail is sent to you because you are part of a mailing list. Many companies have mailing lists, and they will send mails to every name on their lists in the hope that they will generate more interest for their products or services. This is one of the marketing strategies that is widely used to gain more customers.
Companies can get mailing lists through a number of ways. The most common way is to purchase mailing lists from companies that gather mailing addresses for the sole purpose of direct mail marketing. Those who sell mailing lists usually get their mailing addresses from certain sources in a locality, such as telephone directories, schools, local clubs and organizations, as well as the Internet. If you submit your mailing address when you are registering for a golf club membership or taking part in a certain golfing event, it is quite possible that you will receive advertisements that offer golf products. Even when you fill out application forms for credit cards, warranties, customer info cards, and subscriptions, there is a chance that your name and address will be included in the mailing lists of certain companies.
- Wise Geek: Comprehensive information about direct mail, including how it is done and what problems it can cause
- Small Business Notes: An overview of direct mail that includes information about the importance of mailing lists
- Privacy Rights: Frequently asked questions about junk mail
- United States Postal Service: Information to help you understand how a mailing list is created
- Do Not Mail: Interesting facts about junk mail
How to Get Off Mailing Lists
One thing you have to know about mailing lists is that they are compiled by direct marketing companies, and many of these companies are linked to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). To remove your address from the mailing lists of the direct marketing companies that are sending junk mail to your home, you can ask the DMA to let the companies know that you do not want your name and address to be included in their mailing lists. Another way to avoid being included in a mailing list is to write the phrase “please don’t rent, sell, or trade my name and address” on any application form that you fill out. You have to use this phrase too after you give out your personal information to any person or company over the Internet or the phone. Some junk mails come with a 1-800-NO-THANKS number. If you do not want to receive such mails in the future, you can just call the number and let them know that you want to be removed from their mailing list.
- EHow: Effective tips on how to get off mailing lists
- Eco Cycle: Tips on how to get your name removed from mailing lists
- DMA Choice: Direct Marketing Association’s website that can help you remove your name from mailing lists
- Junk Busters: US laws on direct mail
- Obscenity Crimes: Useful tips on how to get rid of sexually-oriented mail
You may even find sexually-oriented advertisements in your mailbox from time to time, which can be quite a cause for concern if you have kids. One thing you can do to prevent such advertisements from reaching your home is to fill out Form 1500 at your local post office and submit it with the advertisements attached. This gives you the legal power to sue the company that sends the advertisements if they do not remove your name and address from their mailing list.
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