I haven't even officially started my business, but I did apply for a FBN with the county and now my business is already getting junk mail (US Mail, not e-mail)!!!!! Any tips on getting off these lists?

I'm sooooo peeved! I understand why this info must be available to the public... but I don't categorize the bottom feeding scum that produces junk mail to be in that category!

Marcia
Venture Virtual Assistance

Good question! I had to go look this info up but hopefully there are some good resources here to help you:

GreenDimes: GreenDimes employs teams of people whose job it is to contact individual junk mail lists and get you off! We use every means at our disposal, including phone calls, emails and Web forms (sometimes all of the above!). We'll do whatever it takes to be successful for you. (sign up for the FREE BASIC service)

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: Click 'how can I get off these lists?'

Do it yourself: Stop Junk Mail

New American Dream Junk Mail Campaign

Hope those help!
Otherwise, keep your recycle bin handy....the truth is, junk mail is the lifeblood of the US Post Office so they're not all that inclined to 'help' with the issue. It really is a matter of consumers having to take it into their own hands to do what they can to stop it.

__________________

If I get unsolicited "junk" mail addressed to me and I know it's junk mail before I open it, I will write "return" on it and drop it back in the mailbox. Or sometimes, if I open it and there is a self-addressed stamped envelope in it, I will write "no thanks" and send it back at their expense. Of course, that's only if they've caught me on a bad day. Most of the time I just recycle it.

__________________
Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

I also heard an ad for Stop Junk Mail on the radio and the phone number is 1-800-800-5152. I haven't called it yet, so I don't know anything specifically about it or if they charge for it or anything.

The ad said it was to stop those pre-approved credit applications from being sent to you to prevent identity theft. I hate those things. They sit in your mailbox just begging someone to steal them and run up a huge bill. I actually burned out the motor on my shredder trying to destroy all the junk mail I've been getting! That's really bad, and such a waste of natural resources with all the wasted paper.

Yvone

__________________
Yvone M. Kon
M.Y. Marketing & Design
Your Virtual Marketing Assistant - At Your Service!
www.mymarketingdesign.com

I've about had it with those credit card offers too. Yesterday I had 5 in my business box alone.

__________________
Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Thanks for the links Tess and Yvone!

Unfortunately these "companies" say the opt-out programs don't apply to businesses. You also must "sign-up" for them and provide personal information like SSN and e-mails! Talk about scam!

Anyway, I did subscribe for a couple of the opt-out lists, we'll see what happens.

Marcia
Venture Virtual Assistance

There many of these going around even here in the Philippines, I just ignore them