You’ve Got Mail
If you’re a homeowner, particularly recently, you might have noticed an uptick in junk mail. The reason for this is two-fold. One, much of the information associated with mortgages is considered public record, and two, scammers will scam.
So, what information is considered public? Among other information,
· The purchaser’s address
· Borrower’s name
· Lender’s name
· Original loan amount
· Estimated market value
Thankfully, plenty of non-public details exist, such as your interest rate, specific loan terms, and the borrower’s social. Still, scammers will find a way to do what they do best.
Resourceful fraudsters scour the dark web for consumer details to use in their scams. Others might even pay for a service or list. Some lucky fraudsters can find details simply by watching what people post themselves. There is no shortage of methods that scammers use to trick their victims. Fortunately, there are ways we can protect ourselves.
You probably already know about the National Do Not Call registry. This is an important tool for protecting you against unwanted phone calls, but did you know there is a similar service to stop junk mail? While it isn’t free, DMAchoice can stop the overwhelming majority of promotional offers in the mail for ten years; we consider that $4 - $5 well spent.
Remember when you turned 18 and started to receive the pre-approved credit card offers in the mail? If that excitement has long since faded, you can choose to stop them from coming for five years. The great thing about OptOutPrescreen is that the credit bureaus endorse it, so we feel pretty good recommending it. What’s more, if you decide that five years is too short, you can complete a permanent opt-out form and never receive them again.
If you have catalogs or mail from specific companies that you would like to stop receiving, CatalogChoice is just what you need. Simply type in the name of the company mail, and it will either walk you through canceling it with them or they will tell you how to opt out of mailings directly.
Cutting back on junk mail? There’s an app for that. PaperKarma is a fee-based app that helps you eliminate unwanted mail. For $3.99/mo (or $15.99 for six months of unlimited unsubscribes), you can opt out of mailers, catalogs, donation requests, and more.
If all else fails, did you know you can refuse mail? That’s right. As long as the mail is unopened and isn’t registered, certified, insured, COD, or a response to an advertisement, you can write “refused” on the envelope and return it to the post office.
Of course, these services can only stop legitimate companies and contacts. I have yet to meet a scammer who abides by laws, but opting out of unwanted junk mail can still fight fraud. How? Limiting your information. The less that’s out there and accessible, the less that the scammers can pull from.
Happy unsubbing.
Have you used any of these resources to stop junk mail? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or email me.
Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 21 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that help consumers reach and maintain financial security and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
