not sure if this is the right section...

[funkychicken]

I keep getting junk letters about mortgages/loans/credit cards etc is there any way I can stop getting them? I haven't put my details on anything remotely connected to these things so I don't know where they got my details (they also put the wrong title, they say Ms which I've never put as my title) I'm only 17 so I'm not even old enough to get those kind of things and I really don't want to keep getting rubbish in the post, can anybody help?
thank you

[vehelpfulguy]

We ALL get these letters. Once you put your name and address on anything there is a chance of your namne and address being 'sold on' to other companies. 

If you go to the Mail Preference Service they may be able to stop it. Go here http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/

[Buenchico]

It seems as if I'm always just behind Vehelpfulguy in providing answers! As always, I can give my backing to his answer: the Mail Preference Service is the organisation which can reduce (but not eliminate) the amount of junk mail you receive.

As you're 17 it means that your name is probably already on (or will shortly be on) the electoral register. (The current data colection exercise requires everyone who will be 18 on or before 30/10/06 to be registered). Up until a few years ago, your local council was entitled to sell copies of the electoral register to companies who compile mailing lists. Now they're only allowed to sell the 'edited' register rather than the 'full' register. What's the difference? Well, as you'd expect, the 'full' register lists everyone entitled to vote - it's only available to organisations like the police and credit reference agencies. The 'edited' register only lists voters who have not taken up the opportunity to have their name removed so, if you don't want to get junk mail, it's important to ensure that your name is not left on the 'edited' register. How do you do this? Simply ensure that, when the electoral registration form is sent back to the council, there is an 'X' in the 'Exclusion from Edited Register' column.

Chris

[shehin]

A friend of mine has a way of dealing with such mail. 

She collects it all together & as soon as one arrives with an pre-paid reply envelope she stuffs all the unwanted mail into it & pops it back in the post.

It doesn't stop the junk mail but she says it gives her a certain satisfaction!

[kazza12345]

i would advocate the above, but tear it up first - much more satisfying!

[astronaut]

If it looks remotely like junk mail, don't open it, strike through your name and address and put 'NOT KNOWN AT THIS ADDRESS, RETURN TO SENDER.' and post it back. Sooner or later you'll find that junk mail will reduce. I don't get ANY junk mail at all now.

[ShellyHall]

I do the same as astronaut.  Eventually the companies involved get the message and the mail stops.

I also found that when I cancelled my mail order catalogue this stopped a lot of junk mail.

[mullein2]

i write junk mail returned all over them and put them back in the prepaid envelope and return it to them.i think they are getting the message as i am getting less junk mail now..i also joined postal preferance..