Special offer

Want to opt out of junk? This is how:

By
Real Estate Agent with Barcode Properties BRE # 01828994

Ever was wondering how to stop the avalanche of junk mail with 'prescreeening offers' via mail and email?

You can and it is not that difficult. I just removed myself and according to my research it works.

This is how:

You can notify all bureaus with just one phone call.

1-888-5-OPTOUT is an automated service run jointly by the four main credit bureaus. With one phone call you can opt out of pre-screened mailings from all four bureaus.

1. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.
2. Select option 3 to opt out of mailings permanently.
4. Follow the prompts to enter your phone number, name, zip code, address, and social security number.

The service states that your request will be processed within 5 business days, and a "Notice of Election" form will be mailed to you. You must mail it back and Tah-Dah! No more junk! 

If you prefer internet, this is a link: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi choose whatever works for you.

This is what your options:

  • ''Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers for Five Years - (electronically through this website).

  • Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers permanently - (mail Permanent Opt-Out Election form available through this website).''

Well, you do need to provide them with your SS#, but the chances are.....they know it anyways. The website seems to be legit ( endorsed by FTC, click this link)

As an added benefit, opting out removes trash from the waste stream. We daily throw away tons of mail from credit-card companies. Opting out doesn’t just save paper; it also cuts down on the weight of the mail carried each day( Ever felt sorry for the poor guy/girl caring all that useless junk to your mail box?).

Do care. Do be proactive. Opting out of junk is just one call/click away.

Posted by

This Active Rain post is created by Inna Ivchenko.

Thank you so much for checking my blog,  likes and comments! 

                                               

Inna Ivchenko

RealtorⓇ, Cal DRE # 01828994, GRI, PSC, HAFA 

Barcode Properties at Calabasas & Beverly Hills

Reasons to HIRE ME: 

  1. Your local friendly Realtor® since 2007 providing great loyal service and truthful guidance personally or remotely. 
  2. Ready to assist you with a Purchase, Sale & ReSale, Trust Sale, Rentals, 1031 exchange, etc. both residential and commercial properties.
  3. Devoted to help first time buyers, sellers, and investors. 
  4. Experienced in distressed sales, foreclosures, auctions, probates.
  5. Standing up as GRI NAR designated (Graduate of Realtors Institute)
  6. Passionate Sustainable technologies focused. 
  7. PSC (Pre-foreclosure Specialist Certification) & Certified HAFA Specialist 
  8. Short Sale Negotiator.
  9. Languages: English,Ukrainian,  Russian, 
  10. Active online presence: IG: 9,000 followers, Twitter: 13k followers, LI almost 8,000 connections, also pages on FB, Yelp, Pinterest, Zillow, Trulia, etc. 

For all your real estate needs please call/text  310-867-0698

or

email  Inna@barcodeproperties.com. 

Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Inna, I'm all for opting out of all that junk mail...I'll definitely check into it...sure would be nice not having to deal with it all.

May 15, 2014 07:24 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Time wasters... count me in for doing away with them. 

May 15, 2014 07:28 AM
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Great info, Inna.  I used to be in the habit of giving this info to all of my clients and I haven't done it in a while, nice reminder to start again.

May 15, 2014 09:39 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Inna -- I'd like to know if there have been any success stories using this -- it certainly seems to be a great idea.

May 17, 2014 05:23 PM
Marshall Enterprises
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Antiques, Lawn Care, and Trashouts

This is A GREAT way to get off those mailing lists.  We did it.  But, I don't recall having to give them my SSN!

May 19, 2014 12:47 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Inna, I am all over this.  It seems that each credit card company sells your name to dozens of companies who send offers!

May 19, 2014 02:39 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Valuable info here, Inna!  I've bookmarked so I won't lose the info!

May 19, 2014 10:18 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Inna - Thanks for posting this valuable information.  Several of my senior clients are so tired of receiving stacks of junk mail on a daily basis.

May 20, 2014 06:38 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Inna, I am trying to simplify and become more organized and detest junk mail. This is a step in the right direction, thank you for the information!

May 22, 2014 12:49 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Thank you, Inna. I imagine the way most people drop the ball on this is they do not print and mail the signed form.

May 22, 2014 03:56 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I just received a confirmation that I opted out for 5 years from everything and I need to send them this confirmation back with a signature that I want to opt out forever......well, I don't believe in forever. I'll take 5 years and see what difference I made in the amount of junk delivered to me.

But again, this is the only legit/free company approved by BBB. I check few others when I did my research, they ask $$ for this service.

May 22, 2014 05:24 PM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Pros and cons to this. Stopping all the BS is a good thing but the "occassional" piece I actually have an interest in would unfortunately get caught in that too

May 22, 2014 05:28 PM
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

I do this about every 3 years and it seems to keep it under control.

May 22, 2014 11:13 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Inna-Good information that will help save time and reduce consumption of paper and plastic products.

May 23, 2014 02:49 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

@Anna,

why every 3 years? They said that it lasts at least 5?

@Wayne, I agree with you, by blue garbage bin is full with junk mail. Piles and piles of letters, newspapers, fliers every day. I feel bad for a mail person caring his/her heavy bag with useless staff in our 100F.

May 23, 2014 11:01 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Not sure about giving my SSN to anyone or organization I don't have first hand knowlege of

Jun 09, 2014 02:19 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Charles,

you give your SSN to so many of them: medical offices, dmv, your credit institutions, your employer, car dealer, etc. Sometimes we don't think how many people already have access to it...

Aug 09, 2014 05:36 PM