Unsolicited electronic correspondence is beginning to plague the United States. We all get daily junk emails that just bog us down and waste our time. Useful for nothing more than filling up our blue boxes, our physical letterboxes are also overflowing with unwanted advertisements. Just think about the abundant number of trees that are wasted because of the inconsiderate ways of these mailing list operators! Here's how to get your name off of these mailing lists.

Step 1:

You need to be careful about who receives your email address. The most effective method when it comes to stopping businesses from using your name is to not give out your details. The task at hand is just as simple as interpreting the details of any form you complete. You should never accept or agree to receive future offers from a company or their affiliates through a click button on their website. Enter a fake email address whenever you can. It is wise to have separate email addresses where you can have all junk email directly sent to your email address for your online needs and a personal email account for the more private type emails. This is one way of uncluttering your inbox of junk email.

Step 2:

Phone government groups that you deal with. You might be shocked to hear that you may be unknowingly putting your name on mailing lists when you give your personal information to governmental agencies. The government is no exception and selling your name to mailing lists is a source of revenue for any company. If you don't want your name shared or sold, you will have to call all of the organizations you have any link to and tell them so, or else, you risk being a victim of the mailing list business.

Step 3:

Keep in mind your credit report and score. Some companies such as Experian or Equifax may sell your personal info without even having your email address themselves to start with. If you consider it, their whole purpose is based on selling personal data to anyone who will pay for it. It may take a little doing, but you can be removed from information lists sold by credit report companies by calling them and making the request.

Step 4:

Choose to be 'unlisted'. Your personal information will not be included in public directories or telephone books when you make this request after giving the telephone company your personal details. That cuts out another possible way for those marketers and companies to get a hold of your contact information. Also speak with other groups or institutions that you are a member of and be sure that your details are not going to be sold to a mailing list. If you want to make certain that your name is not sold as part of a mailing list then you should make it known that you will take legal action against anyone who takes part in selling your personal information.

Step 5:

Be specific. For each company's mailing list your name is on, you will need to contact the company to remove any of your information from their databases, as well as prevent the sale of your personal information. There are three ways to unsubscribe: click the link at the end of the e-mail, call on the telephone, or send a letter. (Be aware that it might be necessary to renew your request for removal each year because the old one may expire.)

Step 6:

Make a legal claim. The Supreme Court has been in agreement that an individual has the right to stop unwanted mail from being delivered to their house. You have the law on your side with Form 1500 or Form 2150, also known as a "Prohibitory Order Against Sender." Of course, there is much greater expense involved, but your results are pretty much guaranteed.

It is apparent that businesses can obtain your name as well as other personal data from various sources. Make it known that your information should not be sold, and immediately contact anyone to enforce your right not to have unwanted mail delivered. This is your best defense against businesses selling your name. To prevent having a lot of junk mail, take care of it as it arrives.