Reducing Unwanted Telephone Solicitations and Junk Mail
To reduce the number of unwanted telephone and mail solicitations you receive, we offer the following tips:
Reduce Telemarketing Calls
- Place your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry! The Federal Trade Commission began registering consumers on a national "Do Not Call" list in October 2003. You can register up to three phone numbers, including your cell phone number, by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling (888) 382-1222. Your phone number(s) will remain on the registry for five years from the date you register. As of January 1, 2005, telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call registry will have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you.
- Some calls are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry. Examples include, calls from companies with whom you have an existing business relationship; political organizations; charities; and telephone surveyors. However, even if the organization is exempt from the Do Not Call registry, if asked, they are required to honor your request for privacy and place you on their internal Do Not Call list. Companies that violate this law and continue to call you may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000. It is important to report "Do Not Call" violators.
- If you are already on the Federal/FTC do not call list, you may report unwanted calls on the FTC website.
- If you are not part of the do not call list, you can join the National Do Not Call Registry here.
- this is a two-step process; you will have to register and then open the email to activate.
- If you are already on the Federal/FTC do not call list, you may report unwanted calls on the FTC website.
The Federal Trade Commission has the following contact methods.
Toll Free: (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.donotcall.gov
Due to the government shutdown, the Do Not Call Registry is currently unavailable.
For information on handling unwanted calls, visit the FTC’s website: National Do Not Call Registry | Consumer Information.
Services will resume once federal funding is restored.
Reduce Unwanted Mail Solicitations
The Office of the Secretary of State cannot process requests to be taken off of "donor lists" for consumers. Consumers must contact the organizations directly to make this request.
If you've received a charitable solicitation by mail and would like to be taken off the organization's mailing list, follow the steps below.
- Contact the organization directly and ask to have your name, address, and phone number removed from their donor list.
- If a paid fundraiser is involved, you should also contact the fundraising company, as they may retain the donor list and use it for future campaigns.
- To find contact information for a registered charity or fundraiser, reach out to the Charities Program at:
Toll Free: (800) 332-4483 (in Washington State), or (360) 725-0378
Email: [email protected]
Website: SOS - Charities
Reduce Junk Mail
- In addition to maintaining your credit report, the three major credit bureaus sell to companies lists of individuals who meet a certain credit criteria. To stop pre-approved credit card offers and remove your name from the generated lists, call the "Opt Out" hotline for the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Trans Union and Experian at (888) 5OPT-OUT (888-567-8688).
You may also choose to contact the mail listing divisions of the three credit bureaus directly. You may write to them at:
- Equifax Options
Marketing Decision Systems
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
Trans Union
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 605
Woodlyn, PA 19094-0605
Experian
Target Marketing Services Division
Attn: Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013
- Equifax Options
- "Opt Out" of mailing lists generated by companies you do business with who may sell or trade your name and address unless you specifically request that your information be kept private. In some cases, when you order from a catalog or apply for a credit card, there will be a small box for you to check if you wish to "Opt Out" of its mailing distribution list. If you want to protect your privacy, you should tell companies you do business with not to sell your personal information.
- Avoid sweepstakes. Their real intention is to collect names and addresses and for the purpose of selling the list to marketers.
File a Complaint
If you are involved in a dispute with a charitable organization or its commercial fundraiser, contact the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division and file a complaint.
Toll Free: (800) 551-4636
Website: File a Complaint | Washington State