Here are some proven ways of reducing the volume of unsolicited mail you receive:

 1.  Notify the companies that send you unsolicited mail (including catalogs) that you do not wish to receive any future mailings from them.  You can accomplish this in one of three ways:

 A.  Call the toll-free order number shown.  Politely ask the customer service representative that answers to take your name and address off their list.  Get the representative’s name and make a note of it before you hang up.

 B.  Write a letter to the Customer Service Department at the address shown on the catalog or mailpiece.  Request in your letter that your name and address be taken off their list.

 C.  If a website is shown in the catalog or mailpiece, access it.  Once at a company’s website, look for a header or banner that says “email customer service” or something similar; clicking on it should lead you to an email address or a form you can send on a web page.  If you get a form you can send, simply enter the information requested and a note (in the “enter your message” area) requesting that your name and address be taken off their list; click “send” to send your message.  On the other hand, if you get an email address, click on the link shown; your email program should open enabling you to compose and send a message.

IMPORTANT:  To expedite your request, always include the customer number in your message.  This is shown on your mailing label.

2.  Write to the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service and request that your name and address be placed in their MPS file.  You should notice a reduction in unsolicited mail after several months.  The address is: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

3.  Visit the Junkbusters web site.  It offers a wealth of information on how to control the amount of junk mail you receive.

4.  Support privacy issues, both in real life and on the Internet.

5.  If you use a Post Office Box for your personal mail, use it to your benefit.  Never give out your street address - even on rebate request forms - unless you are required to by law (such as obtaining a driver's license, registering your vehicle, or registering to vote, depending on the state where you live).

6.  If you are having problems with junk faxes, JunkFax.org is a great site for more information and remedies available to you.

7.  If you or members of your family are receiving unwanted sexually oriented mail (catalogs, advertisements, etc.) take the offending mailpiece to your post office and fill out a US Postal Service Form 1500, Application for Listing and/or Prohibitory Order.  If you want to fill out this form prior to going to your local post office you may want to click on this link to go to the US Postal Service's forms directory (scroll down to the Form 1500 link).  Believe me, once the sender of any mail of this nature gets a prohibitory order from the US Postal Service removal from that sender's mailing list is guaranteed.