How to Stop Junk Mail, Calls, and Credit Offers: The Top Opt-Out Tools You Should Know
Every day, Americans are bombarded with unwanted mail, spam emails, telemarketing calls, and pre-approved credit card offers. While some of this is just an annoyance, other types of unsolicited marketing can actually put your privacy at risk.
The good news is that you have the right to say “no.” There are well-established tools that allow you to opt out of various forms of marketing. They won’t stop everything—scammers, for instance, don’t play by the rules—but they can significantly reduce clutter and risk. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the most effective opt-outs.
Reducing Phone Calls 📵
National Do Not Call Registry
The Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry is designed to block sales calls from legitimate telemarketers. Once your number is on the list, telemarketers are legally prohibited from calling you. It does not stop political calls, charitable solicitations, surveys, or scam calls—but it cuts down on legitimate sales pitches.
Fewer telemarketing calls mean fewer interruptions during dinner and less exposure to high-pressure sales tactics. It also gives you legal recourse if companies continue to call after you’ve registered.
How to do it: Visit DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is free, permanent, and effective within 31 days.
Reducing Physical Junk Mail 📬
OptOutPrescreen (Credit and Insurance Offers)
Credit bureaus sell lists of consumers who meet certain criteria for “pre-approved” credit cards or insurance. OptOutPrescreen allows you to stop these offers at the source.
These offers often contain sensitive information. If stolen, they can be used by identity thieves. Even if that never happens, they contribute to a flood of junk mail.
How to do it: Go to OptOutPrescreen.com. You can opt out for 5 years online, or for life by mailing in a signed form.
DMAchoice (Marketing Mail Opt-Out)
Many marketers rely on lists managed by the Association of National Advertisers (formerly the Direct Marketing Association). DMAchoice lets you stop unwanted catalogs, magazine offers, and other marketing mail.
DMAchoice works directly with marketers to remove your name from mailing lists they use. This can greatly reduce the volume of promotional mail from reputable companies.
How to do it: Register at DMAchoice.org. There’s a $4 fee for 10 years of mail opt-outs; email opt-outs are free.
Reducing Junk eMail 📧
Email Marketing Opt Outs (CAN-SPAM Act)
U.S. law requires companies that send commercial emails to include an “unsubscribe” link. When you unsubscribe, reputable companies are legally required to stop emailing you within 10 business days.
How to do it: Scroll to the bottom of marketing emails and click “unsubscribe.” For violators, report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Caution!!
Unsubscribing from marketing emails is often as easy as clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom—but sometimes those links aren’t safe. Scammers mimic legitimate companies and use fake unsubscribe buttons to confirm that your email address is active. That can increase the amount of spam you get.
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Check the sender first. If the email is from a company you actually do business with (like your bank, retailer, or subscription service), their unsubscribe link is usually safe to use.
- Hover before clicking. Place your cursor over the unsubscribe link without clicking. If the web address looks suspicious or doesn’t match the company’s domain, don’t click it.
- Mark as spam instead. For sketchy or unknown senders, use your email provider’s “Report Spam” or “Junk” button instead of unsubscribing. This blocks future emails from that sender without giving them feedback that your account is active.
- Use filters. Set up rules in your email account to automatically move unwanted messages into a spam or trash folder.
- Use email providers unsubscribe. Email providers are increasingly providing an option to allow the email service to unsubscribe for you. Using this option can unsubscribe more safely.
Other Strategies
Financial Institution Opt Outs
Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), banks, lenders, credit card companies, and insurers are required to tell you how they share your information. By default, many will share with third-party marketers unless you say otherwise. Your financial information is among the most sensitive data you have. Limiting its spread keeps it safer and reduces targeted offers.
How to do it: Review the privacy notices your bank or insurer sends (often annually). These contain instructions on how to opt out—usually through a website, mail-in form, or toll-free number.
To find the forms online, search in Google or Bing for your bank name and “Opt Out Form”. For example, “Chase Opt Out Form”.
Data Broker Opt Outs
Data brokers like Acxiom, CoreLogic, and LexisNexis collect and sell vast amounts of consumer information. Many allow you to opt out of having your data included in their marketing databases. These companies fuel much of the unsolicited marketing you receive. They also create risk when sensitive data is resold or leaked.
How to do it: Each broker has its own opt-out process. The World Privacy Forum maintains links to the biggest ones. Data Brokers Opt Out List – World Privacy Forum
Social Media and Internet Portal Opt Outs
Social networks and portals like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft use your activity to personalize ads and may share data with partners. Adjusting privacy settings limits this. Without adjusting settings, your data fuels targeted ads and may be shared broadly.
How to do it: Review the privacy and ad settings in each account. For example, Google’s “My Ad Center” and Facebook’s “Ad Preferences” allow you to opt out of personalized ads.
Advertising Opt Outs (Behavioral Tracking)
Online advertising networks track your browsing behavior to serve targeted ads. Industry opt-outs reduce this profiling. While ads may seem harmless, behavioral tracking erodes privacy and can make you feel like you’re constantly being watched online.
By limiting this tracking, you’ll see fewer “creepy” ads that follow you around the internet.
How to do it: Use the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out or Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out. You can also block third-party cookies or use ad-blocking software.