💡 How-To
How to Stop Junk Mail from Coming to Your House
Americans receive 4.6 million tons of junk mail annually " — 80% of which goes straight to the trash. These free methods can reduce your junk mail by 90% within 30 days.
Step 1: Opt Out of Prescreened Credit Offers
- Visit: optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)
- What it does: Stops pre-approved credit card and insurance offers
- How long: 5 years (online) or permanently (by mail with signed form)
- This is the #1 source of junk mail " — credit card offers make up most of it
Step 2: Opt Out of Direct Mail Marketing
- DMAchoice.org: Register for $2 to opt out of most direct mail for 10 years
- Directly from companies: Call the toll-free number on the mail piece and say "Remove me from your mailing list"
- Catalog Choice: Free service " — catalogchoice.org " — opt out of specific catalogs
Step 3: Stop Specific Mail Types
| Junk Mail Type | How to Stop |
|---|---|
| Credit card offers | optoutprescreen.com |
| Insurance offers | optoutprescreen.com |
| Charity solicitations | Directly with charity: "Remove me from your mailing list" |
| Catalogs | Catalog Choice (catalogchoice.org) |
| Local business flyers | "No junk mail" sticker on mailbox |
| Previous resident's mail | Write "Not at this address" and return to USPS |
Step 4: Register for Do Not Mail
- donotmail.org: Free service that contacts major mailers on your behalf
- Works for most national direct mail companies
- May take 30-60 days to take effect
The mailbox sticker hack: Put a "No Junk Mail" or "No unsolicited mail" sticker on your mailbox. While not legally binding for all mailers, many local businesses and USPS carriers respect the request. Stickers cost $5 online and reduce local flyers significantly.
⚠️ What you CAN'T stop:
- Mail addressed to "Current Resident" " — this is USPS-authorized bulk mail
- Local political mailings " — protected by First Amendment
- Magazine subscriptions you paid for " — cancel directly with publisher
- Mail from companies you do business with " — their terms allow it
The bottom line: Go to optoutprescreen.com (stops credit/insurance offers " — the biggest source). Register at DMAchoice.org ($2 for 10 years). Use Catalog Choice for catalogs. Put a "No Junk Mail" sticker on your mailbox. This combination reduces junk mail by 90% within 30 days.