While you cannot stop EDDM mail addressed to 'Postal Customer,' you can significantly reduce other junk mail. Start with OptOutPrescreen.com (free, stops credit offers) and DMAchoice.org ($4-6, stops catalogs and marketing mail). Add CatalogChoice.org (free) for specific catalogs and contact coupon mailers directly. Expect 30-90 days for results.
How to Reduce Junk Mail: A Complete Guide
Important: These Tips Won't Stop EDDM Mail
The services listed below can reduce addressed junk mail—mail with your name on it. However, none of these services can stop EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) addressed to "Postal Customer," "Resident," or "Current Occupant." There is currently no legal way to opt out of EDDM. That's why we need a Do Not Mail registry.
While we fight for a comprehensive Do Not Mail registry, you can take steps to reduce the junk mail you receive. Follow these steps in order for maximum effect.
Stop Credit Card & Insurance Offers
OptOutPrescreen.com — Free, official service from the credit bureaus
This is the single most effective step you can take. OptOutPrescreen stops Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion from selling your data to credit card and insurance companies who send "pre-approved" offers.
How to Opt Out:
- Online: Visit OptOutPrescreen.com
- Phone: Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)
- Options: 5-year opt-out (online) or permanent opt-out (requires mailed form)
Time to take effect: 5 days to process; may take several weeks for offers to stop
Cost: Free
Reduce Marketing Mail & Catalogs
DMAchoice.org — Industry opt-out service ($4-6 fee)
The Direct Marketing Association (now part of ANA) operates DMAchoice, which allows you to opt out of mail from member companies. While it's controversial that you must pay to stop unsolicited mail, it does filter out a significant amount.
How to Register:
- Online: Visit DMAchoice.org (costs $4 for 10 years)
- By Mail: Send name, address, signature, and $6 check to: DMAchoice, P.O. Box 900, Cos Cob, CT 06807
- Choose to stop: Credit Offers, Catalogs, Magazine Offers, Other Mail Offers, or all categories
Time to take effect: 2-3 months
Cost: $4 online / $6 by mail (lasts 10 years)
Limitation: Only affects DMA member companies; does NOT stop EDDM
Register with DirectMail.com
DirectMail.com/mail_preference — Free, supplemental registry
DirectMail.com is a marketing agency that started their own Do Not Mail engine. As a DMA member, their list may overlap with DMAchoice, but registering with both provides additional coverage.
How to Register:
- Visit DirectMail.com/mail_preference
- Enter your name and address
- Submit the form
Cost: Free
Stop Specific Catalogs
CatalogChoice.org — Free nonprofit service
CatalogChoice is a free service from The Story of Stuff Project that lets you opt out of specific catalogs one at a time. They have nearly 10,000 mailers in their database.
How to Use:
- Visit CatalogChoice.org
- Create a free account
- Search for catalogs you want to stop
- Submit opt-out requests for each
Cost: Free (premium MailStop Shield service available for data broker opt-outs)
Bonus: Free iPhone app available
Stop Coupon Mailers
Opt out of Valpak, RedPlum/RetailMeNot, and other coupon packets
Valpak (Blue Envelope Coupons):
- Online: Valpak.com/remove-address
- Phone: 1-800-237-6266
- Email: Customer_service@valpak.com
RedPlum / RetailMeNot Everyday / Save.com:
- Visit the Valassis/Vericast opt-out page (search for "Valassis opt out")
- Phone: 1-844-940-7283
- Use the exact address shown on the mailer
Time to take effect: 6-12 weeks
Reduce Charity & Nonprofit Mail
Contact charities directly or donate anonymously
Charity mail is harder to stop because nonprofits often share donor lists. Once you donate to one organization, your information may be shared with dozens of others.
How to Reduce Charity Mail:
- Contact charities directly: Call, email, or write asking to be removed from their mailing list
- Request no list sharing: When you donate, include a note: "Do not rent, sell, or trade my information"
- Donate anonymously: Use a donor-advised fund (DAF) to give without sharing your address
- Use DMAchoice: Select the "Charity" category when registering
- File a complaint: Contact the BBB Wise Giving Alliance if a charity ignores your removal request
Note: Charities you've donated to in the past 2 years are exempt from DMAchoice—contact them directly.
Bonus: Mobile Apps
PaperKarma App
PaperKarma is a mobile app that makes opting out easy: snap a photo of unwanted mail and they contact the sender on your behalf. Available for iOS and Android.
- Works with 100,000+ mailers
- 4 free opt-out requests, then subscription required
- Cannot stop EDDM ("Postal Customer" mail)
Additional Tips
Return to Sender
For first-class mail, write "Refused - Return to Sender" and place it back in your mailbox. This does not work for EDDM or standard mail.
Use USPS Informed Delivery
Sign up for free at InformedDelivery.usps.com to see scans of incoming mail before it arrives. While this doesn't stop junk mail, it helps you identify what's coming.
Hold Mail When Traveling
Use USPS Hold Mail (free, 3-30 days) to prevent your mailbox from overflowing with junk while you're away.
Opt Out of Data Brokers
Data brokers like Acxiom, Epsilon, and CoreLogic sell your information to mailers. Opting out of their databases can reduce junk mail at the source. Services like DeleteMe can help automate this process.
Be Patient
It typically takes 30-90 days for opt-out requests to take full effect. Mailers prepare campaigns months in advance, so you may continue receiving mail for a while after opting out.
Quick Reference: All Opt-Out Services
| Service | What It Stops | Cost | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| OptOutPrescreen | Credit/insurance offers | Free | optoutprescreen.com |
| DMAchoice | Catalogs, marketing mail | $4-6 | dmachoice.org |
| DirectMail.com | Marketing mail | Free | directmail.com |
| CatalogChoice | Specific catalogs | Free | catalogchoice.org |
| Valpak Opt-Out | Blue envelope coupons | Free | valpak.com |
| PaperKarma | Various (photo-based) | Subscription | paperkarma.com |
| EDDM Mail | "Postal Customer" mail | — | No opt-out exists |
The Real Solution: A Do Not Mail Registry
These tips can reduce your junk mail, but they can't stop EDDM— the mail addressed to "Postal Customer" that makes up a huge portion of mailbox clutter. The only real solution is a federal Do Not Mail registry. Sign the petition to make it happen.
Take Action NowFrequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for junk mail to stop after opting out?
Most opt-out services take 30-90 days to fully take effect. Some mailings prepared in advance may continue arriving during this period. Credit card offers from OptOutPrescreen typically stop within a few weeks.
Will these services stop all my junk mail?
No. These services can reduce addressed junk mail by 80-90%, but they cannot stop EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) addressed to 'Postal Customer' or 'Resident.' There is currently no way to opt out of EDDM.
Is DMAchoice worth the fee?
For most people, yes. The $4-6 fee covers 10 years of opt-out service and can significantly reduce catalogs, credit offers, and marketing mail from DMA member companies. However, it does not affect EDDM or non-member mailers.
Can I opt out of political mail?
Political mail is largely exempt from opt-out services. Political campaigns and advocacy groups are not required to honor DMAchoice or other opt-out requests. You can try contacting campaigns directly, but compliance is voluntary.
What about mail for previous residents?
Write 'Return to Sender - No Longer at This Address' on first-class mail and place it back in your mailbox. For standard mail, you can mark it 'Refused' but the USPS may not return it. Register the previous resident's name at DMAchoice if possible.
Learn More
Ready to take action?
Sign the petition to demand opt-out rights for USPS advertising mail.