• Consumers frequently receive unwanted sales literature and marketing materials.mail box image by Joelyn Pullano from Fotolia.com
  
  A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses to whom literature or advertisements are mailed for the purposes of sales or solicitation of business. Every day, mailboxes, both physical and online, receive these solicitations. The U.S. government has various laws in place that are designed to protect the rights of consumers in regards to mailing lists. Businesses who violate these regulations are subject to heavy fines or related penalties.
  
  

Emails and Spam

• Many businesses ranging from pornography websites to retail sellers purchase email addresses in the hopes of reaching their target sales audiences. Email is a fast and efficient way to exchange information, and many businesses capitalize on the popularity of email. However, when unwanted email solicitations begin to fill your inbox, it can be a cause for frustration. These sorts of solicitations are frequently referred to as spam.
  
  The Federal Trade Commission took action in 2003 through the passage of public law 108-197. This law, Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM Act of 2003), requires senders of unsolicited commercial email to label their messages with identifying criteria. The CAN-SPAM Act requires that all messages must carry instructions on how to opt-out of receiving such email from the sender. The sender must also provide their actual physical address so the recipient can contact the sender in writing if need be. Under the act, it is also unlawful for the sender to issue misleading email headers or titles.
  
  

Catalogs and Solicitations

• Marketing companies and catalog businesses spend millions of dollars each year on the purchasing of consumer mailing addresses. These addresses are used to send out mailings and catalogs in the hopes of acquiring sales or business from consumers.
  
  Consumers who do not wish to receive such mailings may register under the "do not mail list" offered through the Direct Marketing Association. This list notifies marketing companies and catalog companies that you no longer wish to receive mailings or marketing materials from them. As of July 2010, there is a $1 fee to place your name on the "do not mail list" through the Direct Marketing Association. This service will not, however, prevent mailings from companies who do not use DMA's mail preference service. Continued mailings by such companies will need to be stopped by requesting that they cease mailings to your address by putting the request in writing and sending the request to the company directly.
  
  

Credit Bureau Offers

• The three major credit bureaus have joined to offer a service called Opt Out Pre Screen that enables you to prevent receiving preapproved credit card offers for a period of five years. When you call the designated number for the service, you will be asked several pieces of information. Information collected will include your name, Social Security number, address and telephone number. This information is confidential and will only be used to verify your identity and to process your request.
  
  Opt Out Pre Screen
  
  PO Box 600344
  
  Jacksonville, FL 32260
  
  888-567-8688
  
  optoutprescreen.com