Halting Mail Overload

It's that time of year when the amount of promotional mail--"junk" to some, useful to others--landing in our mailboxes piles up to alarming heights. If you've reached the saturation point, there are steps you can take to reduce unwanted mail. Know from the start that it will use many postage stamps, phone calls and time; but, your efforts will be rewarded in the long run.

The first step is to recognize the culprit. As Fred Elbel, publisher of the web site called "How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam [junk e-mail], and Telemarketers," puts it, "Just about anyone who sends you a bill will sell your name." Make a list of these companies by going through your bills and catalogs. Tell them by phone or mail not to release your name, address, or phone number to anyone else for marketing, mailing, or promotional purposes. Also contact the Direct Marketing Association (address right) and request the same.

You can also send away for a junk mail "kit" (tip: buy two kits and take one to the office--these methods will work for businesses too). The Stop Junk Mail Association (SJMA), will send you its kit upon joining. SJMA membership also includes a name deletion service; form letters, legal notices and postcards for getting names removed from many list types; and an explanation of postal privacy laws. "The Junk Mail Prevention Kit" from K.D. Enviro-Ventures includes gummed "Return to Sender" and "Refused" labels and pre-printed postcards and labels requesting that your name be removed from a mailing list. "The Stop the Junk Mail Kit" from Consumer Research Institute (CRI) includes a series of pre-addressed postcard mailers directed to large mailing list and financial list companies. CRI maintains that the kit will allow you to reduce junk mail by 90% or more.