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Stop Your Junk Mail — Part 2
By Tracy Mirsky, Harwinton
If your credit is good, there are many companies that provide potential lenders with your name, address, and credit history. How many credit card application "enticements" fill your mailbox each week? How many end up in the waste stream? You can take control of this assault by credit card companies. To stop receiving those pre-approved credit card and insurance offers, call 800-5-OPTOUT. When given options, press #3 to have your name permanently removed. (If you press #1, your name will be removed for only two years.)
Mailing list companies collect information from government records, phone books, membership rosters and other sources, then sell them for marketing purposes. Call these numbers to have your name removed from mailing lists of some of the major data compilers: Acxiom at 877-774-2094; Donnelly Marketing at 888-633-4402; Equifax at 800-873-7655; Experian Consumer Services at 800-407-1088; and Trans Union at 888-567-8688.
Here are more tips to reduce your junk mail:
(1) Call your current credit card companies. Request that they don’t sell, trade, or lend your name to other mailing lists.
(2) Avoid participating in sweepstakes and contests. Your name will automatically be added to a mailing list unless you specifically request that it not be added. Also, when completing warranties, product registrations or questionnaires, do not include personal information. It is not needed for your warranty.
(3) Be proactive. When giving your name and address to a business or organization, request that they not rent, sell or exchange it with anyone else. Return unopened first class mail after writing "refused’ on it.
(4) Recycle. Make sure you recycle junk mail that you do receive. This will keep it out of the landfill. For information about paper recycling, call your local Dept. of Public Works or your Recycling Coordinator.
Tracy Mirsky is Recycling Coordinator for the Town of Harwinton.
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