Junk mail and overzealous catalog companies create a lot of waste and tempt you to buy things you didn’t know you needed. Here are a few free and paid ways to opt out.
CatalogChoice.org is a free service that lets you chose which catalogs you want to receive. More than 1 million people and 1,000 merchants use CatalogChoice. Read more about how the site works.
ProQuo promises to reduce your junk mail by 90 percent by removing your name from marketing lists. The service costs $18 a year. ProQuo says their members have less clutter in their lives, are safer from identity theft and help the environment.
DMAChoice.org helps you cut back on credit card offers, catalogs, magazine offers, and other mail like donation requests, bank offers, and retail promotions. The free site connects you with company websites or customer service departments so you can opt out. Read more about DMAChoice.
OptOutPreScreen.com allows you to remove your name from lists used by the main credit card agencies, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. This means you will not receive credit card offers for five years. The site says you can also opt-out permanently or opt-in.
DirectMail.com is another free opt-out or opt-in service for direct mail. They say they are the closest thing to a national Do Not Mail List (which doesn’t exist – yet). DirectMail.com is not a government-run agency and also sells mailing lists.
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Thanks, PJ!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I have asked catalog companies to take me off their list they say ok, and I have filled out the catalogchoice as well, but I still get catalogs.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I used Catalog choice, and it has reduced my catalogs by 98%. I used to get just bout everything, and now, barely any. I’m thrilled with this because of the paper I save.
June 21st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
What a great resource list! Just stumbled and bookmarked.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:50 am
There is obviously a lot to know about this credit score thing. I think you made some good points also.
July 4th, 2009 at 12:35 am
My “opt-out” method is simple and quick. I simply drop in the trash. No reading necessary if I don’t know the company or what it’s touting. If I do, then I can look or not–my choice. No need to get on the phone or fill out forms.