How to stop junk mail and cold calling

Junk mail is a big problem, not only is it a complete waste of paper and bad for the environment 9 times of 10 is on no interest anyway and just gets tossed straight in the big. But for Royal Mail it is a big earner and makes them millions of pounds each year just to deliver it, so it is no surprise that they don’t advertise the fact that it is actually a very simple process to have your name taken off various advertising databases.

Royal Mail Door to door deliveries

To stop door to door deliveries (advertising addresses to ‘the occupier’) you need to email optout@royalmail.co.uk with your name and address. Stating clearly that you no longer want door to door mail delivered to your address.

Stopping direct mail

To stop direct mail (mail sent to large numbers of potential customers advertising a product or service) you can register your address with the Mailing Preference Service mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr. Legally direct mail marketing customers have to make sure they do not market homes with their name on the MPS register.
Families with new babies can register with the Baby Mail Preference Service and stop unsolicited mail from baby companies. mpsonline.org.uk/bmpsr

Stopping cold calls

Cold calling (the process of approaching a potential customer without any previous introduction or contact with a view to selling to them) can also be stopped you can register your name with the Telephone Preference Service and have your home telephone and mobile number removed from any advertising lists. mpsonline.org.uk/tps

If you have a fax you can also have your fax number removed mpsonline.org.uk/fps

Read the small print when you are signing up for stuff.

All these things will help drastically reduce any advertising mail from being sent to your home, but you also should be careful what you are signing up for. Many ‘freebies’ & competitions will sell your details to other companies so always read the small print when you are applying for stuff online and offline there is always a box to tick or un-tick saying you don’t want to be sent any more information or information from ‘carefully selected third parties’.