4 Ways To Stop Junk Mail

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Going to the mailbox only to retrieve junk mail can be an annoying activity, but you can take some simple steps to reduce those occurrences.

In this article, I’ll show you some ways to stop junk mail by using some opt-out methods. I’ll also go over some ways to reduce email junk mail.

How To Opt Out of Junk Mail

From time to time, homeowners may get mailers or credit card solicitations in their mailboxes. Yes, you can do something about it. Let’s look at four ways to stop unsolicited mail from coming to your home or business.

1. OptOutPreScreen

OptoutPreScreen homepage

The first option for opting out of preapproved credit card and insurance offers is to go to OptOutPreScreen.com (or call toll-free 888-5-OPT-OUT (888-567-8688).

The OptOutPreScreen website is a joint venture of the major credit bureaus that lets you tell them you don’t want their junk mail. It’s free, and signing up one time covers all three bureaus.

You will be asked to give your Social Security number on the website. 

Here’s what it says about why the company is asking for that information:

“Your Social Security Number and Date of Birth are not required to process your request. However, providing this information will help to ensure that we can successfully process your request. This website’s security protocols and features are designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access or alteration. As an added security measure, we only display the last four digits of your Social Security Number on the confirmation screen. If you do not provide your Social Security Number, we will attempt to process your request without this information.”

Follow these three steps to opt out of correspondence on OptOutPreScreen.com.

  • At the bottom of the homepage, click the blue button that says Click Here to Opt-In or Opt-Out.
  • Select the Electronic Opt-Out for Five Years option. The default selection will actually sign you up for more junk mail, so be careful.
  • To stop this junk mail permanently, you’ll need to print out and mail a form you’ll be taken to by following the prompt.

2. CatalogChoice

CatalogChoice Screenshot

Another way to cut down on junk mail is to opt out of receiving catalogs. A nonprofit company called CatalogChoice helps you accomplish that for free.

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If you sign up with CatalogChoice (only your name and email address are required), the company will help you cancel catalogs you no longer want to receive.

You can also use the site’s Cancel A Catalog search function. In that case, you’ll be given a link or a phone number to cancel the catalog yourself. You can also track the process at CatalogChoice’s online dashboard.

Below is a screenshot of what you see when you opt out of a business on CatalogChoice.com.

West Elm opt out

3. DMAChoice

Opt out of junk mail with DMA Choice

We’ve talked about some free options to cut down on your junk mail. Now here’s a fee-based service: DMAChoice.

A nonprofit organization, DMAChoice charges $4 for online and $5 for mail-in registration. It says it will stop mail marketing solicitations for 10 years.

The site also lets you take the following opt-out measures:

Once you sign up, give DMAChoice 90 days for any changes you’ve made to take effect.

4. Get Rid of Junk Email

We all know that junk mail isn’t limited to physical mailboxes. Spam email is a huge problem as well and you can never be too careful about unsolicited messages in your email inbox.

How To Get Rid of Yahoo Junk Mail

Yahoo Mail comes with its own spam filter so you don’t have to worry about your main inbox being cluttered with junk mail. What happens in so many cases though is that you end up subscribing to so many services and sites that your primary inbox can become full of junk mail you don’t need to see.

Here’s a low-tech trick that works to declutter your email inbox. Simply go to the search bar in your email platform and enter the word “Unsubscribe.”

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unsubscribe from junk email

Your email will then pull up all the mail from legitimate companies that offer an unsubscribe link.

You can quickly go through it and unsubscribe from whatever you no longer want to receive. It’s that easy!

How To Get Rid of Gmail Junk Mail

If you have a Gmail account, you can cut down on the number of unsolicited emails you get by doing a few steps (courtesy of Google Support):

  • Go to Gmail.com on your laptop or PC and log in.
  • Click on an email from a sender you want to unsubscribe from. 
  • Next to the sender’s name, click Unsubscribe or Change preferences.
Gmail junk mail tip

Here’s what Google’s Support Page says: “If you don’t see these options, follow the steps above to block the sender or mark the message as spam.”

Final Thoughts

Almost no one likes getting junk mail. Spending a few minutes to go through the steps above could be well worth it to prevent all that paper from ending up in your mailbox.

Have you used any of these methods to combat junk mail? Did they work for you? Please share any tips that you have in the Clark.com community!

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