Ultrathought

Getting any kind of unsolicited, unwanted communication is a nause; especially when it comes in large volumes. Unfortunately slapping a ‘No Junk Mail’ sign on your door does nothing to deter the would be mailer / caller / spammer.The problem does seem to be getting worse. Doormats, answering machines and inboxes are bursting at the seams on a daily basis.

A website was launched a couple of years ago called itsmypost.com, which allows users to target the firms they don’t want to receive junk mail from, either by post or by email. The UK law is simple; if you communicate directly with these companies and tell them you do not want their mail, then they must stop.

Junk Mail

The Mailing Preference Service provides a way of limiting junk mail which is addressed to you. If you write to them, they will send you a simple application form and returning this will enable you to remove your name from most mailing lists. Write to:

Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
Freepost 22
London, W1E 7EZ
Tel: 0207 766 4410 or visit:

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk

For new mothers that are receiving high junk volumes then visit: http://mpsonline.org.uk/bmpsr/

You can email the Royal Mail at optout@royalmail.co.uk with your name and address you can request they stop posting addressed door-to-door mail to your home. Alternatively, write to your local delivery office, the address of which you can find by calling 08457 740 740.

You can also cut down on unlabelled junk mail delivered through your letterbox. The Association of Household Distribution is promoting a similar scheme. Just write to:

Royal Mail Door-to-Door
Streamline House
Sandy Lane West
Oxford, OX4 5BR

Unwanted E-mails

There are lots of technical ways that you can stop emails reaching your inbox using filters, rules and firewalls but that is a subject on it’s own. However if you want to reduce the number of sales e-mails you receive, you can reduce that number significantly by registering with the e-Mail preference service. To register, simply visit www.dma.org.uk and click on the e-MPS logo.

Unwanted Telephone Calls

You may also be subjected to unwanted sale calls by phone. Similar to the system for mailing, the telephone companies provide a Telephone Preference Service. Just contact the following freephone number and ask for a TPS registration form and explanatory leaflet:

0845 0700707
NB This number is for all telephone companies, for both landlines and mobile numbers.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk

Unwanted Faxes

If you receive too many unwanted advertising faxes, you can cut down on those too. The Fax Preference Service, set up by the Direct Marketing Association can help. Just contact them on 0845 0700702 (charged at the National Rate). This applies to domestic telephone lines, sole traders and partnerships.
Limited companies should contact:

Fax Preference Service
5th Floor Haymarket House
1 Oxendon Street
London, SW1Y 4EE
Tel: 0171 766 4422 or visit:

http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/fps

For more information on anything mentioned in this article contact Consumer Direct.