OPT-OUT TO REDUCE UNWANTED MAIL

BBB Tips to Decrease Environmental Impact and Identity Theft Risk

Lake Oswego, Ore. – April 8, 2011 – Unwanted junk mail is an identity theft risk and a nuisance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Americans throw away more than 4 million tons of mail a year. It is nearly impossible to completely eliminate junk mail; however, Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington offers tips to help reduce mailbox clutter:

Opt-out. Contact the sender, marketer or bulk-mailer to remove contact information from lists.

• To avoid receiving “pre-screened” credit and insurance offers: Call 1-888-567-8688 or visit Optoutprescreen.com—the official website of the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies: Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion. For identification confirmation, those who opt-out will be asked for their name, phone number, Social Security number, and date of birth; the website form is secured and information is kept confidential. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers are eligible to opt-out for five years or permanently.
• To help stop product solicitations: Opt-out of mail from companies represented by the Direct Marketing Association at www.dmachoice.org. Also, opt-out from companies associated with the Canadian Marketing Association. Registration may take six months to take full effect.
• To avoid being overwhelmed by catalogs: Contact Epsilon, an alliance of direct marketing companies and programs—including Abacus and Shopper’s Voice. To avoid receiving “resident” mailings: Contact Valassis, formerly ADVO, Inc. To help stop coupon packs: Contact Cox Target Media.

Stay off mailing lists. Signing up for sweepstakes, surveys or coupons can lead to an increase in junk mail. Read the company’s privacy policy before providing contact information. Before purchasing from catalogs and online retailers, fully review order forms to avoid signing up for unwanted programs or offers.

Go paperless. Contact current service providers: Ask to opt-out of solicitations and find out if they can email statements or post them online instead of mailing them.

Shred unneeded personal documents. Visit www.akorww.bbb.org/secure-your-id for free shredding locations on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Visit www.bbb.org or the Federal Trade Commission for more tips.