Last updated: January 2025
You can stop 80-90% of addressed junk mail using free services. Start with OptOutPrescreen.com (stops credit offers) and DMAchoice.org ($4-6, stops catalogs). Add CatalogChoice.org and PaperKarma for stragglers. Combined, these services have processed over 12 million opt-out requests. Expect 30-90 days for results. Important: None of these can stop EDDM 'Postal Customer' mail.
How to Stop Junk Mail: Complete Opt-Out 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.
Want to stop junk mail? You're not alone—Americans receive an average of 848 pieces of junk mail per household every year, spending up to 8 months of their lives sorting through it. While we fight for a comprehensive Do Not Mail registry, you can take steps right now to stop most of the junk mail you receive. Follow these steps in order for maximum effect—most people see an 80-95% reduction within 2-3 months.
How Do I Stop Credit Card Offers in the Mail?
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
How Do I Stop Catalogs and Marketing Mail?
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
Are There Other Free Mail Preference Services?
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
How Do I Stop Specific Catalogs?
CatalogChoice.org — Free nonprofit service
CatalogChoice is a free nonprofit service from The Story of Stuff Project. Over the past 8 years, they've helped more than 2 million users reduce junk mail and saved half a million trees in the process. 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
How Do I Stop Valpak and 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
- Important: Opt-out must be renewed every 3 years
RedPlum / RetailMeNot Everyday / Save.com:
- Online: save.com/mailing/delivery-options
- Phone: 1-844-940-7283
- Use the exact address shown on the mailer
- Takes approximately 6 weeks to process
Time to take effect: 6-12 weeks
How Do I Stop Charity 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.
How Do I Stop Phone Book Delivery?
YellowPagesOptOut.com — Free, covers 158+ publishers
Stop unwanted phone book delivery from Yellow Pages, White Pages, and other directory publishers. One website covers virtually all phone book publishers in the US.
How to Opt Out:
- Online: YellowPagesOptOut.com (covers 158+ publishers)
- Yellowbook: Call 1-877-607-0775
- YP: Call 1-866-329-7118
Time to take effect: 48 hours to a few weeks
Cost: Free
How Do I Opt Out of Data Brokers?
Stop junk mail at the source by removing your information from data brokers
Data brokers collect and sell your personal information to marketers. Opting out of these databases reduces junk mail at the source—before companies even get your address.
Major Data Brokers:
| Broker | Opt-Out Method |
|---|---|
| Acxiom | acxiom.com/optout or call 1-877-774-2094 |
| Epsilon | Email optout@epsilon.com or call 1-866-267-3861 |
| Oracle | Visit Oracle privacy page (30 days to process) |
| Abacus (Catalogs) | Email abacusoptout@epsilon.com or mail P.O. Box 1478, Broomfield, CO 80038 |
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. With over 10.3 million opt-out requests processed and a 90% effectiveness rate, it's the largest Do Not Mail registry in the USA.
- Largest database: 100,000+ mailers (10x more than other services)
- Subscription-based after initial free requests
- Available for iOS and Android
- Cannot stop EDDM ("Postal Customer" mail)
Additional Tips
Return to Sender
For first-class mail or mail with endorsements like "Address Correction Requested" or "Return Postage Guaranteed," write "REFUSED - RETURN TO SENDER" on the unopened envelope and place it back in your mailbox. Mail to "Resident" or "Current Occupant" can be refused if it contains one of these endorsements or is sent First Class. However, this does not work for standard EDDM mail without endorsements.
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.
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 | Time | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OptOutPrescreen | Credit/insurance offers | Free | 5 days | 95%+ |
| DMAchoice | Catalogs, marketing mail | $4-6 | 90 days | 80% |
| DirectMail.com | Marketing mail | Free | Varies | 60% |
| CatalogChoice | Specific catalogs | Free | Varies | 70% |
| Valpak | Blue envelope coupons | Free | 8-12 weeks | 95% |
| Save.com | RedPlum coupons | Free | 6 weeks | 95% |
| Yellow Pages Opt-Out | Phone books | Free | 2-4 weeks | 99% |
| PaperKarma | Various (photo-based) | Subscription | Varies | 90% |
| EDDM Mail | "Postal Customer" mail | N/A | N/A | 0% - No opt-out |
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.