You can also ask to be opted out of global mailing lists, as well as third party sharing.

Convenience Checks, Third Parts, Statement Inserts, and bank related offers. All are different options, at least at the one I work for.

Keep in mind that stuff is prepared up to 90 days in advance, so if you opt out today, don't be surprised when something comes the next day.

If after 60-90 days there has been no change, then you have every right to be pissed. Otherwise, adjust your expectations, or ask for a timeframe. Every company is slightly different I'm sure.

also www.prescreenoptout.com is your friend.

I get two things,

->An empty shredder
->Free disposal

Post office makes money too, and frankly it makes me happy. Since I used to work for a junk mail processor all that will happen with the envelope is it will be pitched.

To the person in the story - when you call in just ask them to opt you out out of everything that it is possible to opt out of. I did this as soon as I got my Citi card and have had no problems whatsoever.

I had one credit card company that was sending me convenience checks on a regular basis. I asked them to stop (because mail theft was common in my neighborhood as well as the mailman occasionally putting mail in the wrong box) and they did. They just started printing them on the bottom of the bill instead! I cancelled the card and told them why.

Also, think of how you could really make some underpaid envelope-opener's day. Basically this is a 2 for 1 plan.

Key statement to make to them is " I opt out of every mailing you may provide. Please confirm my statement against your opt out list."

I have had nothing but stellar service from them, and I'm not a platinum member or anything. We just have some checking and savings through them. Not even a credit card.

But I've heard horror stories about their student loans, so maybe that's the problem? Who knows.

I filled out the form, because who needs paper statements these days? The only mail I've gotten from them since has been updates on a current fraud investigation.

If Bank of America would do something like that, I'd be ecstatic.

@DeepFriar: And on a more personal level, I can't keep the shredder moving quickly enough to accommadate all the crap that gets sent containing PII. I need a freaking incinerator b/c I have to empty the shredder bin every 2 days. When I clean up around the house, the biggest mess is sensitive information sent to me by credit card issuers that comes in faster than I can shred it.

@less_is_best: So increasing the threat of identity theft and wasting millions of pounds of paper a year is nothing to get upset about, as long as the price of stamps stays low?
what a douche

WAH WAH WAH! I got mail I dont want. What a bunch of sniveling wussies! Just throw it away! These companies keep millions of postal workers and their families fed and clothed and keep your postage costs down. If these companies did not spend BILLIONS of dollars a year on these mass maailings you would be paying $9.95 to send a first class stamp. Get a grip! Buy a shredder, whatever. But stomping your feet like a baby is ridiculous, its just a piece of mail, not an attack on your life.

Why continue to give them your biz? If CitiBank couldn't honor my requests re: marketing and couldn't understand the need to both go to a gas station and a grocery store in the same day (fraud freezes) I couldn't continue to be their customer. Problem solved.

Or you can leave the tracking number intact if you really want them to get the message, but you run the risk of them going after you for using the envelope for other than the intended purpose.

They just don't care....

@Pfluffy: Yes. Yes. YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS! 9 months now I've been at it with Chase to stop sending me their god damn Visa applications and they continue sending them. Thinking about filling out one of those forms that were originally used for pornographic material sent through the mail.

(Actually, I'm not sure how up you are on your Smiths, so it's kind of lost if you don't check the name of the video.)

Big damned deal! Chase does it to me EVERY month despite my opting out and calling them to tell them I've opted out. Jebus, I hate Chase. They are the devil incarnate! Did I mention I hate Chase? I hate Chase. Evil SOBs.

I contacted them with the same requests, "I do not want to receive any balance transfer checks, or anything at all really, from you. It is a vector for identity theft and I will never use them."

Received the confirmation letter from them indicating all the stuff I've opted out of... and then THE NEXT DAY I got... You guessed it... MORE CHECKS!! Love it! Of course... it could be there's a lag time, but if I receive ONE MORE mailing, they're done. I don't use the darn thing anyway, as I'm attempting to become debt free and I don't believe that a credit card is any safer than a debit card.

If I get one more pack from them, I'm going to use it as my excuse to cancel the card.

I've heard of people opting out of junk mailing lists, then the companies begin regularly sending them junk mail stating that they've opted out of the mailing lists.

I wish there was some way to prevent yourself from ever receiving that garbage, but... on the other hand, I supposed it is awfully nice of these companies to send me free liner for my bird cage in the mail like that.

@vastrightwing: until your house goes ablaze or some buglar making of with your money, I mean only ten year olds hide stuff there

Another reason to keep your money in your mattress: no junk mail or email.

Yet another reason to keep you money in your mattress: it will never send you any junk mail or emails.

Better yet, don't sign up for any mailings.