Direct Marketing Association

Mail Preference Service

P.O. Box 9008

Farmingdale, NY  11735-9008

 

and/or

 

Direct Marketing Association

Telephone Preference Service

P.O. Box 9014

Farmingdale, NY  11735-9014

 

You can also register online at www.the-dma.org. 

DMA also has an e-mail Preference Service.

• When a telemarketer calls you at home, say, “Please put me on your do-not-call list.”  By law, they cannot call you again for that particular product offering.  If they do, you can sue them in small claims court if you have kept a copy of a letter in which you request they not call you again. 
  
• To receive fewer unsolicited credit card and insurance offers in the mail, call this toll-free number:  1-888-5opt-out and follow the instructions on the recording.  You will have to give your Social Security Number (it’s OK here) because this offer is tied to the “big 3” credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Trans Union and Experian).  Credit card issuers affiliated with those credit reporting agencies will not send you unsolicited offers for 2 years, for 5 years, or forever (you choose the option on the recording).  If you choose “forever,” you will receive a notice in the mail that you need to sign and return.
  
• Beware “30-day free trials.”  Some telemarketers promote products that are cross-marketed through your credit card company.  If you say, “I’m not interested,”  or “Not today,”  or “I don’t think so,”  they may use that non-committal response as assent.  You do not even need to give your credit card number for the charge to show up on your credit card statement!  You will, however, have to notify them that you do not want the product or you will be charged.  So just say “no” when they call, and then say, “Put me on your do-not-call list.”