Buzz
We're all too familiar with the frustration of returning home to find our mailbox overflowing with unwanted junk mail. It's bothersome, wasteful, and clutters up our living space until we dispose of it. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to tackle this issue, from preventing it altogether to safely disposing of it if it does arrive. Additionally, you can keep your email inbox clear of spam and begin to enjoy a life free from junk mail.
Procedures
Halting Junk Mail Deliveries
Utilize the Direct Marketing Association’s website to filter out junk mail. The DMA serves as a consumer organization dedicated to assisting individuals in ceasing the receipt of unwanted junk mail. By enrolling, you can establish an account and specify the type of mail you wish to receive. By deselecting promotional offers, catalogs, credit offers, and other categories, you can significantly reduce the volume of junk mail you receive. This service entails a fee of $2 for 10 years of monitoring.
- To register, simply visit the DMA website at https://www.dmachoice.org/register.php.
- If preferred, you may also submit your request via mail. Complete and print the form available at https://www.dmachoice.org/prefill_mailin_registration.php and mail it to the provided address.
Opt out of receiving credit card offers from credit reporting agencies. You're likely familiar with those pesky credit card offers that flood your mailbox. Typically, these companies obtain your information from major credit reporting agencies. Cease these offers by visiting https://www.optoutprescreen.com/. This site prevents the major agencies from sharing your details and should put an end to credit card offers appearing in your mailbox.
- You have the option to opt out for either 5 years or indefinitely, and there's no fee for the service.
- Alternatively, you can directly contact the major credit reporting agencies—Experian, Transunion, Equifax, and Innovis—and request them to stop sharing your information.
Register with Catalog Choice to halt catalogs and advertising materials. No doubt, you've experienced the mailbox inundated with catalogs, particularly around the holiday season. Fortunately, you can stem the flow of this type of junk mail. Catalog Choice is a complimentary service that submits opt-out requests to companies sending you catalogs. Enroll to minimize catalog clutter in your mailbox.
- Join Catalog Choice by visiting https://www.catalogchoice.org/.
- Additionally, Catalog Choice offers a premium service that removes your name from broker services sharing your information with advertisers. This preemptively prevents further junk mail and incurs a $20 fee.
Reach out to companies and request to cease mailings. If some junk mail continues to slip through the cracks, it's worth directly contacting the companies responsible. Locate their contact details, give them a call, and insist on being removed from their mailing lists.
- Expect to be persistent; the company may transfer you around to dissuade you from unsubscribing.
Send back unopened junk mail to the sender. Here's a satisfying method to deal with companies persistently sending you junk mail. In the US, the Postal Service permits you to refuse mail and return it to the sender. Simply write 'REFUSED' across the envelope and drop it in the mailbox. Since companies might incur a return fee, they're likely to remove you from their lists if you do this consistently.
- The USPS won't return opened mail, so ensure you refuse it without opening.
Disposing of Junk Mail
Dispose of anything containing your name and address by shredding it. You're likely aware of the importance of shredding documents such as credit card bills and tax statements to protect your identity. However, you may not realize that even junk mail can pose a risk of identity theft if it contains your personal information. Always shred any mail that bears your name and address before discarding it to safeguard your identity.
- For larger items like catalogs, simply tear off and shred the cover where your name appears, sparing you from shredding the entire item.
- If you don't have a shredder, tear the paper into small pieces or cut it with scissors.
Dispose of shredded documents in the recycling bin. Given that junk mail contributes significantly to paper waste, it's important not to dispose of shredded papers in the regular trash. Ensure they are placed in the paper recycling bin to minimize paper waste.
- Some localities offer specialized recycling drop-offs for mail containing sensitive information, such as junk mail. If available in your area, utilize this service for added security.
Recycle junk mail without personal information as usual. Not all junk mail contains your name and address; some circulars and promotional materials may simply address the recipient as 'Current Resident' or might not include an address at all. Since these items do not contain sensitive information, shredding them before recycling is unnecessary.
- If uncertain, check the contents of the envelope to ensure none of the papers bear your name and address. If not, recycle them without shredding.
Dealing with Spam Emails
Flag spam emails appropriately. Merely deleting spam emails does not prevent them from recurring. Instead, it's essential to train your email provider to identify and filter out spam emails. Most email servers feature a 'Mark Spam' or similar button. Select the spam email and utilize this button to ensure similar emails are automatically directed to your spam folder rather than your inbox.
- The specific button may vary depending on your email server. For instance, Gmail's button resembles a stop sign and is labeled 'Report Spam,' while Outlook uses 'Report as Junk.' Other servers may utilize buttons labeled 'Junk' or 'Flag.' Refer to the appropriate button for your email server.
- It's advisable to periodically check your spam folder as important messages may inadvertently end up there. You can mark these messages as 'Not Spam' or similar to ensure they are directed to your inbox in the future.
Opt out of email mailing lists you're on. Various activities, such as online shopping or social media use, may result in your inclusion in email mailing lists, leading to inbox clutter with spam. If you receive messages from the same companies or accounts, scroll to the email's bottom and click 'Unsubscribe' to remove yourself from the mailing list and halt future emails.
- Typically, clicking the unsubscribe button redirects you to another site where you must confirm unsubscribing. This tactic aims to retain you on the mailing list without actually unsubscribing.
- If an email appears suspicious, it's safer to report it as spam instead of clicking the unsubscribe button. Some phishing emails attempt to collect your information when you unsubscribe.
Utilize a separate email address for online shopping or promotional sign-ups. Online purchases often lead to an influx of spam emails, as companies acquire your email address and send promotional offers. To prevent your primary inbox from becoming overwhelmed, use a distinct email address exclusively for shopping and offers. This ensures your personal email inbox remains free of spam.
- Alternatively, report spam or unsubscribe from offers received after making online purchases.
Avoid opening or responding to suspicious emails. Engaging with spam emails not only proves futile but also exposes you to potential phishing attempts aiming to obtain your personal information. Responding establishes a connection that scammers could exploit to compromise your computer. Minimize opening spam emails and refrain from responding altogether.
EXPERT RECOMMENDATION
Brandon Phipps
Technology Expert
Technology Expert
Exercise caution when clicking links or sharing personal information online to prevent security breaches. Cybercriminals often employ emails with deceptive links to trick users. Verify the sender's identity and take necessary precautions before clicking any links or disclosing personal information to mitigate the risk of unauthorized account access.
Block email addresses known for consistently sending spam. It's possible that one or a few senders are responsible for the majority of your junk mail. Blocking these senders can effectively reduce the influx of spam. The exact procedure varies depending on your email server. Typically, you need to select or right-click the sender and choose 'block,' following the server-specific instructions.
- Blocking a sender isn't permanent, and you can choose to unblock them later if necessary. Your server should provide a blocked list that you can manage.
- Keep in mind that spammers often use multiple email addresses with slight variations, so blocking individual addresses may not completely eliminate all spam.
Consider changing your email address if spam becomes unmanageable. While it's a significant step, sometimes it's the most effective solution. If your spam issue spirals out of control, starting fresh with a new email address can resolve the problem.
- Ensure to implement all previously mentioned measures to safeguard your new email address and prevent it from being inundated with spam again.
Recommendations
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While these steps can help reduce the influx of junk mail, they may not eliminate it entirely. Occasional junk mail may still find its way into your mailbox or inbox.
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When contacting a company to cease junk mail, it's important to remain courteous to the person answering the phone. They are usually not responsible for the mailings.
