Receiving unwanted catalogs in the mail, many of which you may never have asked to receive, just adds shopping temptation and clutter to your life. As a consumer, your name and address are circulated on many direct marketing mailing lists that are bought and sold between companies, typically resulting in an avalanche of snail mail. If you're tired of opening up your mailbox to a slew of unwanted catalogs, there are a couple of simple ways to end the cycle, but be patient because it can take time for these solutions to take effect.
Tip
It's perfectly fine to toss your unwanted catalogs into your recycling bin alongside your magazines.
Use an Unsubscription Hub
- DMAChoice.org: Create an account atdmachoice.org, known as the Direct Marketing Association's consumer website. It allows you to unsubscribe from specific catalogs, as well as magazine and credit card offers for yourself and deceased relatives. DMAChoice.org contacts the companies to unsubscribe for you, but this process takes time—between 30 to 90 days. There's a $2 registration fee to set up your account that allows access to the site for 10 years.
- CatalogChoice.org: This non-profit organization helps you opt out of catalogs and other junk mail. Sign up with CatalogChoice.org for free, type in the name of the catalog, and it will do the rest for you, a previous tenant, or a deceased loved one.
- OptOutPreScreen.com: A lot of junk mail, including catalogs, is triggered when insurance and credit card companies purchase prescreened mailing lists from the four big credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion. OptOutPreScreen.com is a free service that helps you opt out of unsolicited credit offers for five years or permanently (which is a bit more of an involved process). This means the credit bureaus won't be able to circulate your name on lists. Go the OptOutPreScreen.com, scroll to the bottom of the screen, make your selection between the five-year or permanent opt-out, then finally provide your information.
Tip
Charities may or may not take paper donations. But you can still put catalogs to good use by donating them to scout troops or preschools for crafts, or use the images for your own projects, like inspiration boards, decoupage, making magnets, or framing some of the more extraordinary photography.
Unsubscribe Online or by Calling
Unsubscribe from catalogs by calling the customer service line directly or by unsubscribing online. Many catalogs have unsubscribing information within the pages of the catalog. If you have a credit card account with a retail store, you may receive both catalogs and circulars both online and through snail mail promoting sales. Go to the latest email the store has sent online and you can typically find an "unsubscribe" line that you can click to opt-out. However, you may still receive snail mail unless you call them direct.
Contact Epsilon
To get off all catalog mailing lists you should also contact Epsilon atoptout@epsilon.comto request that you be removed from their marketing database. Be sure to includeyour name and mailing information in the email. If you prefer, you can also mail your request to:
Epsilon
Attention: Privacy
P.O. Box 1478
Broomfield, CO 80038
Epsilon maintains a marketing database, known as Abacus, used by nearly all product catalogs. Removing your name from their database will prevent you from receiving additional unsolicited catalogs in the future. Just know that it may also cause you to stop receiving catalogs that you enjoy receiving. It's an all-or-nothing opt-out.
Tip
To remove a deceased relative from Epsilon's catalog mailing lists, call(888) 780-3869, and provide their full name, address, and date of death.
