Stop junk mail and spam

Stop Pre-Approved Credit Offers

You can stop most pre-approved credit offers by calling the Consumer Data Industry Association at 1-888-567-8688.

Stop eMail Spams

WARNING: Spammers (people who send junk emails) ignore all "do-not-email" lists. They use every trick in the book to sucker you into opening their emails. Sometimes, they're nothing more than scams; often, however, they contain viruses that are deadly to your computer. There are 2 ways to protect yourself and your family.

Monitor your incoming email by following these 4 basic rules:

1. Never open an email unless you're CERTAIN you know the sender. Be very careful; spammers sometimes make the sender sound like someone you might know. If you don't know the person, DELETE the email before opening it.

2. Don't fall for enticing subject lines. Use your common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS! There is no secret way to win the lottery — there is no fountain of youth — REGARDLESS of what the email says. Once again, DELETE the email before opening it.

3. If you make a mistake and open an email from a spammer, DO NOT open any attachment. Attachments are often used to spread viruses that could be fatal to your computer. Close the email and DELETE it.

4. Spammers send emails to millions of email addresses randomly generated by a computer, without knowing whether any particular address is real. You've probably received them without realizing it. If you do make a mistake and open an email from someone you don't recognize, NEVER follow the instructions at the bottom of the email to "remove me from your mailing list." If you do, you'll simply verify that your email address is real, and it will be added to even more spam lists. Protect yourself; close the email and DELETE it without responding, regardless of how sincere it sounds. Don't be naive. Here's an actual example of their outright lies.

"If you have received this email in an unsolicited manner, please report this to junk@[company name].com. [Company name] is committed to stemming the tide of SPAM email and would appreciate your help."

If you believe that, call me and I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge for only $1.

Stop Resident or Occupant Mail

To stop receiving packets of coupons, ads and product samples addressed to "Resident" or "Occupant," contact the following companies and request removal from their mailing lists.

• ADVO, Inc., List Service, 239 West Service Road, Hartford, CT 06120; or call 860-520-3361.

• Carol Wright Gifts, Customer Service, 100 Nixon Lane, P.O. Box 7823, Edison, NY 08818; or call 732-287-8811.

• Harte Hanks Data Services, List Maintenance, 6701 Baymeadow Dr., Suite D, Glen Burnie, MD 21060-6401.

• Cox Target Media (Val-Pak), P.O. Box 13428, St. Petersburg, FL, 33733; or call 888-797-1896. (NOTE: Val-Pak will ask you to send the front of the Val-Pak mailing envelope along with your request.)