Sorting through credit card offers and other unwanted mail may be frustrating and seem like a waste of time, but think twice about just throwing them in the trash ... unless you don't mind increasing your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. 

Eliminate the Source

The best way to deal with a problem is eliminate the source.  So if you didn't have those credit card offers and other unwanted junk-mail coming in you wouldn't have to worry about how to handle them.  Guess what?  With a quick phone call, letter or online request you can save time and energy, as well as give yourself additional protection against identity theft.  Here is some information that will help you eliminate the source of the problem.

•1.  Credit Card Offers

The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to get out of having card offers mailed to you for either five years...or permanently. Just call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688). You will be prompted to provide some personal information, including your home telephone number, name, address, and social security number. All information provided is confidential and is used only to process your request. If you ever decide that you want to receive the card offers again, simply phone the same number and you will be added back on the list.

•2.  "Junk" Mail

The Direct Marketing Association has a Mail Preference Service that allows you to reduce the amount of commercial advertising mail that you receive at home for five years. There are several ways to have your name added to the "do not mail" list. The quickest and most efficient way is to hit this link: Do Not Mail Website. From the website, you can enter the required information, print the letter, and mail the letter to the address listed below. Or for $5, enter the required information and hit the "register online" button.

Don't want to enter your information online? No problem, just mail a letter that includes a brief paragraph requesting to be excluded from the marketing lists, your name - be sure to list all name variations including, Jr, Sr, etc. - current and previous address, and signature to:

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

Important note: You will not stop receiving mailings from organizations that are not registered with the Association's mail preference service, but at least this measure will greatly reduce the amount of advertising mail you receive.

•3.  Email

The Direct Marketing Association also has an Email Preference Service that allows you to get out of receiving unsolicited commercial email for five years. Visit Do Not Email Website. Enter up to three email addresses and a confirmation will be sent to each email acknowledging the request. Replying to each email confirmation within 30 days is required by DMA, or the email address will be deleted and the request will not be processed. Unfortunately, this measure will not eliminate most "spam" email, but will at least help to reduce the amount of junk email you may be receiving.

•4.  Phone 

If you haven't done so yet, get on the National Do Not Call Registry.  Protect yourself from annoying telemarketers and phone solicitations by putting your home number on the Do Not Call list via this link:   Do Not Call List

Removing your information from the above lists will not only save you a lot of time and frustration, it will also help protect you against identity theft.  Foer more tips on protecting yourself from ID theft and improving credit, check out my mortgage blog.

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Roland Carrillo, PhD
Branch Manager
VanDyk Mortgage in Cary, NC
Email: rjcarrillo@gmail.com
Website: http://www.mymortgageanalysis.com/ 

Our branch specializes in affordable lending options including FHA / VA and the Community Heros program.  As both a banker and a broker, you have access to a full menu of products including all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Conforming loans, Reverse, Jumbo and Commercial financing on a variety of property types.  We are located in Cary, North Carolina and are within easy reach of the entire RTP Area including Wake, Durham and Orange Counties.