Stop Junk Mail & Nuisance Calls

Beat Junk Mail and Nuisance Phone Calls

From Thisismoney

Simply pinning a 'no junk mail' note to your door won't stop postmen pushing unaddressed envelopes and leaflets through the letter box. They know you don't want it, but the Post Office earns millions from delivering advertising material to homes all over the country.

Door-to-door, or door drops, as they are sometimes called are a big earner for Royal Mail. It tells potential business customers: 'While unaddressed mail (or door drops) is often perceived as the poor relation to addressed mail, this effective form of mail marketing has an important role to play, and is becoming an increasingly popular part of the advertising mix. The unaddressed mail market has grown by 70% since 1998, and is forecast to grow by a further 40% in the next five years.'

Opt out of the 'door to door service'

Royal Mail is responsible for a good deal of the unaddressed junk you get. You can opt-out of receiving these so-called door to door items by contacting Royal Mail directly:

• optout@royalmail.com

Door to Door Opt Outs

Royal Mail

Kingsmead House

Oxpens Road

OXFORD

OX1 1RX

You can stop door-to-door deliveries simply by sending an email to optout@royalmail.co.uk with your name and address, stating clearly that you do not want door-to-door mail to be delivered to your home. Or you can write to your local office telling them to end deliveries of unaddressed mail. To find the address of your local delivery office call 08457 740 740.

Addressed Junk Mail

If you want to halt other forms of unsolicited mail, you can register your address with the Mailing Preference Service.

Direct mail marketing companies are legally obliged to ensure they do not target homes that are on the register.

Mothers may also want to take advantage of the Baby Mail Preference Service that is specifically designed to stop unwanted baby-related mail shots.

Return to sender any remaining junk mail

If you receive junk mail with a return address on the envelope, write Unsolicited Mail. Please return to Sender on the envelope and put it in the post. The sender will have to pay the return postage and will usually remove your details from their mailing lists.

Recently Deceased Junk Mail

For someone who has recently died you can register their name on The Bereavement Register, a free consumer service which stops companies mailing to the deceased. In a matter of weeks the direct mail to should stop

Choose What You Want to Receive

The same organisation behind The Bereavement Register have introduced a service called itsmypost - this service allows members of the public to choose what mail they do and do not wish to receive. itsmypost.com is a new service that has been set up specifically to make sure that you only get the mail that you want. itsmypost.com simply provides an automated email or letter service that sends a request to stop processing your data to your chosen companies - all at the click of your mouse.

Opt out of being on the edited register

When you fill in your electoral registration form, you are able to choose whether you want your details included in the edited register. The edited register can be bought by any person, company or organisation and can be used for any purpose, including sending junk mail. So, do tick the box to ensure your details are on the 'full register' only.

Nuisance Phone Calls

If you're fed up with people calling you at all hours in an attempt to get you to buy double-glazing, or to invest in a new fitted kitchen, you can register your telephone number with the Telephone Preference Service. Though, sadly, this will not stop fraudsters calling you from abroad to tell you about bogus lottery prizes you can claim for a fee.

The Telephone Preference Service can accept the registration of mobile phone numbers, however this will not affect the sending of text messages. It is already unlawful to send sales and marketing text messages without the recipient's permission. To stop receiving text marketing messages, you should send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved.

Businesses sick of unwanted faxes can register with the Fax Preference Service.