The objective is to stop the problem where it starts – with the folks who provide the info for the mailing lists.

1. Send a letter to each of the following addresses (these are the folks that send the white-and-blue card with advertising on one side and “have you seen me?” on the other, among other things):

ADVO-Incorporated
Delivery Services
1001 West Walnut Street
Compton, CA 90220-5191

ADVO, Inc.
Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 249
Windsor CT 06095

The letter I sent:

Greetings.
You will do me the favor of removing from your mailing lists my address, to wit:
123 Any Street
Hometown XX 00000-0000
Expressing my gratitude in advance,
Resident,
123 Any Street Hometown XX 00000-0000

(You don’t have to sign this one since all the mail generated by ADVO is addressed to “resident.” This will cut down some on the fliers and postcard-style advertising you receive.)
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2. Go to and request an opt-out form. (Acxiom is a major data broker for such things as mailing lists and online telephone directories.) You can request the opt-out form online but have to fill it out hard copy and mail it back. (It’s worth the hassle.)
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3. How to prevent the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, Transunion and Innovus) from selling your credit history information to insurance and credit card companies. (This one form blocks all the credit bureaus from selling your credit info, and without the info, the credit card and insurance folks won’t send their mail. And it works. It has literally been years since I’ve received an offer either for insurance (other than the occasional “resident” mailbox stuffer) or for a credit card. And, since it’s based on SS # instead of name and/or address, it remains in effect until such time as you might request otherwise:
a) Go to (This is the “official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept offers and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.”)
b) Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Opt-In or Opt-Out” icon.
c) Select the “permanent opt-out by mail” option and click on “Submit.”
d) Fill out the form online (it’s a secure site and the SS # is encrypted), run a copy for yourself, and click on “Confirm.” (Be sure to make the copy for yourself before clicking on “Confirm,” says my Voice of Experience.)
e) The “permanent opt-out election form” will pop up. Run two copies (one to mail, one for you), sign & date one, and mail to the address shown on the form. (It’s better to send the info via Priority mail with delivery confirmation so you will be sure it arrived.)
f) Log off your computer and log back on to dump the info from step “d.”
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4. If your banking institution(s) offer opt-outs on receiving info (it/they should), opt-out asap.
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I’d suggest that you start keeping track of the mail you receive. I use three categories: letters (sealed envelopes); catalogs; and everything else. You should start seeing a slow-down in about eight weeks and a fairly substantial drop in 12-14 weeks.

How well does it work? Well, by taking the above steps (and a few others), as of today (12/31), my significant other and I have received this MONTH a grand total of — count ‘em — two pieces of bulk mail (neither of them catalogs). Needless to say, we’re our postman’s favorite customers!