Have Your Name Removed from Telemarketing Lists and DMA

How often do you pick up the mail only to find that most of what you receive is "junk mail" ? If you are like most of us, you receive more junk mail than mail that is actually of interest. Junk mail does not pose a direct threat to our privacy and security in and of itself. However, the fact that your name, address, and who knows what other personal information is being sold, rented, or given to the companies that send out the junk mail filling your mailbox should be of concern.

The question to ask yourself--and perhaeps the companies with which you choose to conduct business--is, "What right does a company have to use my personal information in it's marketing schemes without my consent?" If a company is going to make a profit by selling your personal information, it should be at least have your permission to do so,

A REAL THREAT

While i have said that junk mail does not pose a direct threat to our privacy and security in and of itself, there is in fact a very real threat from direct marketing (junk mail) and telemarketers.Many companies are using prison inmates to conduct telemarketing and screen responses to direct marketing.

The November 15, 2001 edition of the Abilene Reporter-News reported that a Texas woman, April Jordan, has filed a lawsuit against Sandsar Family Entertainment for putting her family at risk by using felons to conduct telemarketing. Accoridng to the reports, Jordan's 14-year-old daughter answered the felon's telemarketing call to the Jordan home, and, as a result, this felon obtained the girl's name, home address, age, physical description, and other personal information. The felon then provided this information to another inmate, who sent a suggestive letter to this young girl!

The use of inmates to make telemarketing calls and process marketing information is not a rare or unique occurrence. Major corporations, such as AT&T and Honda, are reported to have used inmates for telemarketing and data-entry purposes, and TWA is reported to have used inmates to make airline reservations.

There is perhaps a place for employing inmates (the old cliché of inmates making license plates come to mind); however, using felons to gather personal information about you and your family is clearly a problem.

Even if you never deal with telemarketers, there is still the potential of finding your personal information in the hands of convicted and incarcerated felons, since direct marketing lists are sold and rented among various businesses.

For people who want to receive marketing offers in the mail and have their names and addresses sold to other companies, there should be an "opt-in" option (i.e., "Initial here if we may use your name and address for marketing purposes.") Unfortunately, this is not the case, and most companies just assume that once you conduct business with them your personal information is theirs to do with as they please.

HOW TO REMOVE YOURSLEF FROM THESE LISTS

While there is no "opt-in" option available, there is an "opt-out" one available.

Because most reputable businesses that engage in direct marketing (sending junk mail)are members of the Direct Marketing Association(DMA), you can notify the DMA Mail Preference Service and the DMA Telephone Preference Service that you do not wish to receive direct marketing ads and calls from telemarketers, and they will add you to a database of names and addresses to be excluded from mailing and telemarketing lists.

Of course, the DMA can do noting to limit junk mail from companies that do not subscribe to it, so this is not an all-inclusive way to get rid of junk mail. However, opting out with the DMA is a free service; all it takes is a few moments of your time and a couple of postage stamps.

To have your name removed from member mailing and/or telemarketing lists, contact the DMA at the following addresses:

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008v Farmingdale, NY 11735

and

Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Max Penn is the man behind the respected Spy equipment buying guide site. You can learn and benefit from his unique privacy, surveillance and antisurveillance knowledge by signing up for his free spy equipment & techniques newsletter at Spy Gear & Tech Xpress Newsletter page