Opting Out

Now that the holiday season is over and things seem to have settled down at our homes, people are finding their phones ringing off the hook and post-holiday season junk mail arriving in piles. Would you like to stop those phone calls? That junk mail?

To stop most telemarketing calls, just call 888-382-1222 or go to www.donotcall.gov. (You may list cell phone numbers as well as land lines—in fact you may list up to 3 personal phone numbers at a time).

The list is managed by the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency. Political organizations, charities, phone surveyors and businesses with whom you have a relationship are not covered by this regulation. For additional information, please visit the FTC site FAQ page: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt107.shtm

Consumer Reports also suggests The Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service to opt out of unwanted junk mail. The DMA member companies must delete from their lists people who register for this service. There is a charge of $1. Their site is: www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php