How to Get off Mailing Lists

A guide to removing yourself from unsolicited mailing lists

Last Updated: November 8, 2022 Tested

Mailing lists, also called junk mail, are a very profitable and cost-effective way for businesses to advertise and generate revenue. Making the sale with a mailing list is one of the most common forms of advertising. Generally, to successfully get off mailing lists, you'll need to follow a few steps.

Steps

1
View the company website. Find its mailing/contact us section to follow the procedures to unsubscribe. Contact the customer service department if an unsubscribe web link or mailing address is unavailable.
2
Respond to inserts in your billing statement regarding the Privacy Act. Many companies periodically include these to inform consumers of their rights.

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3
Save time by eliminating your name from as many mailing lists as possible at once. You can do this by contacting the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) or Mail Preference Service.
4
Select the best opt-out registration method that meets your needs. Opt-out is a term used to describe a consumer desire to no longer receive unsolicited mail from a particular company. The registered names will be placed in a "do not contact" database.
- Registering for the Direct Marketing Association or Mail Preference Service requires a fee if applying via mail.
- Complete the registration form. The form is available for download from DMA's website.
- Provide the following information: Date, name and address.
- The registration is valid for three years and can be renewed on line.
- Mail your payment and completed registration form to: Direct Marketing Association, P O Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512.
- To register on line, enter DMA's website and complete the short registration form. The online method is quicker. A fee may be required.
- To update or add information, log into the system using the password and ID created during registration.
5
Enter opt-out requests for deceased family members and friends online. Use the same procedures that are listed above to submit the request. There are no fees required for this service. Death verification information is not required.
6
Contact the major credit reporting bureaus directly. The following information must be provided: Name (include first, middle, last, Jr., Sr., etc), date of birth, address and Social Security number. The document must be signed and dated.
- TransUnion - (888) 567-8688, Name Removal Option, P.O. Box 505, Woodlyn, PA 19094
- Equifax Options, Marketing Decision Systems,(888)567-8688; Equifax Credit Information Services Inc., P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
- Experian Marketing Lists - (402) 458- 5247, Experian Consumer Services, West Bond St., Lincoln, NE 68521
7
Be patient for the volume to decrease. The process may take up to 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, a noticeable decrease in the amount of pre-approved offers, magazines and flyers mail will be seen.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get off a junk mail mailing list when none of them have an unsubscribe option?

Community Answer

I think you're asking about email. If you are, then here's something to check into. It's required by the federal government that there be an "unsubscribe" option at the bottom of these things so you can opt out. The FCC is in charge of this stuff. They have tools on their website to report companies that don't take you off their mailing lists when asked or that don't have the unsubscribe link at the bottom. I have run into this problem before. I tried unsubscribing but kept getting their emails. Eventually I used their "Contact Us" link and sent them an email telling them that if they didn't remove me immediately and forever, I would report them to the FCC. That worked.
Question

How do I stop junk mail from someone who doesn't live at my address?

Community Answer

You can always write, "Not at this address" (or, "Does not live here," "Not a resident," etc.) on the piece(s) of mail and leave it/them in your mail box. If your postal carrier doesn't pick mail up from your mail box, drop it in the outgoing mail box or in a postal drop box. You won't need postage since you're essentially sending the mail back to the post office itself and letting them know that this person doesn't reside at your address. While it sounds tedious, it's the quickest, and most effective way that I've found to stop the delivery of other people's mail to my address.