Tips to Reduce Junk E-Mail

Eric Gertner of the United Features Syndicate was asked how spammers acquire e-mail addresses and what can be done to reduce their bilge in everyone's inbox ...

Here's his advice:

"The average American gets more than 10 times as much junk mail as regular mail.

"Wondering how these companies find you? Think of yourself as an entry into multiple computer databases managed by thousands of different companies. As soon as you write your name and address on any form, some company will enter it into its database. In addition, direct-marketing companies scour sources of public information, including marriage or divorce records, voter and vehicle-registration records, business or professional associations and memberships — even the phone book.

"Junk mail is an inconvenience. But if sensitive information in this mail gets into the wrong hands, it can also lead to identity theft, credit-card fraud and other invasions of privacy.

"To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, take the following steps:

• Sign up for the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (MPS). The MPS is largely a do-not-mail list. Send a postcard or letter containing your name, home address and signature to DMA Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. It's free. Or, for $5 you can register online at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist.

• Reduce all pre-approved credit-card offers you receive in the mail by calling the consumer credit reporting industry at 888-567-8688. The first option lets you remove your name for two years; the second option, which takes your name off these lists permanently, requires you to complete a form.

• Contact Acxiom, one of the largest direct marketers, by leaving a message on its consumer advocate hotline at 877-774-2094, or send an e-mail to optout@acxiom.com.

"Call any company that sends you a lot of junk mail and ask them to stop. Also, do not complete warranty cards and do not enter sweepstakes, contests and other games that are designed to get your information."