How to opt out of mail, e-mail and telemarketing solicitations

Credit card applications: Decrease the amount of junk mail

By Ben Woolsey

Many people are frustrated by the amount of junk mail they receive each year. Telemarketing soliciting credit card offers can be especially intrusive and annoying. But there are ways to get off of these marketing lists on a permanent basis. Listed below are links and information on some of the more popular and effective ways consumers can access to unsubscribe or "opt out" from unwanted telemarketing calls and mailings and protect their privacy.

Telemarketing calls
Register your home and cell phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry to cut down on telemarketing calls. This is for consumers only, not businesses. It's not completely foolproof, however. There are still some organizations that are allowed to call registered numbers, and most local marketers are not restricted either. Everything you need to know is explained on the Web site.

The registration and verification process is easy. The online registration process requires an active e-mail address. If you register online, the Federal Trade Commission will send you an e-mail message with a link in it. Click on the link in the e-mail within 72 hours to finalize your registration. If you do not have an e-mail address, you can register by phone at (888) 382-1222.

• Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241; (800) 685-1111
• Experian , P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013; (888) EXPERIAN (397-3742)
• TransUnion, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022; (800) 916-8800

To opt-out online go to www.optoutprescreen.com or call (888) 5OPTOUT (888-567-8688).

Other types of junk mail
The Direct Marketing Association is a "trade association of businesses that advertise their products and services directly to consumers by mail, telephone, magazine, Internet, radio or television," according to its Web site (www.thedma.org/consumers). The DMA maintains a database of consumers who want to curtail unsolicited mail. The catch is that only DMA members must abide by the pledge to take your name off their lists. You can opt out by mail for free; opting out online will cost you $5.

E-mail, junk mail
Read advice from the Federal Trade Commission for reducing the spam that clogs your e-mail account. There are links that let you report spam if your request isn't honored, and there are tips to avoid becoming a victim of e-mail scams.

Restricting third-party affiliate junk mail
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act lets you tell your financial institution not to share your personal information with third parties under some circumstances. The bank can still share plenty of your information with its affiliates that, these days, can be dozens of companies. And it can even share information with third parties if there's a marketing agreement between the two companies. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to take the time to opt out if you are not interested in receiving solicitations for these ancillary services.

Unfortunately, there's no quick way to opt-out with all of the financial institutions with whom you do business. You must sign up with each one individually. The law states that you must be given opt-out information when you open an account, and you must receive notice annually of your right to opt out. But you can opt out any time by visiting the bank's Web site and clicking on its privacy policy link. Many banks and credit card companies will also let you opt out by phone, or you can contact them and request an opt-out form be mailed to you.

Published: June 18, 2005

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