Ask about vendor mail linked to an association

Begin by asking the association two questions: does it share member postal addresses with partners or sponsors, and does it send their promotions itself? Its answer can help identify the contact responsible for each piece; confirm any unresolved sender separately. If a vendor mails you directly, write to that vendor as well.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated October 2, 2026.

Sort association mail from vendor mail

For each piece, record the company named as sender, the return address and any printed note about how your address was obtained. A vendor's logo alone does not show who mailed it or where the address came from.
Ask the association whether it offers a postal sharing choice and whether that choice applies to sponsor mailings it sends as well as lists it shares.
If a vendor mailed you itself, find the contact or privacy page on the vendor's official site. Ask whether a postal option exists if you cannot find one.
Say that you want to keep your membership and the association's own member communications.

Keep the request about promotions

Name the promotional mailings you want stopped. Ask the association whether its preference affects anything else, such as its own newsletter or member notices, before you assume it does or does not.

A vendor that already has your address may keep it after the association changes its sharing choice. Ask each vendor what its own request covers.

Sample question to the association

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Hello. I am a member under [name as printed] at [mailing address]. Do you share member postal addresses with sponsors or partners, or mail promotions on their behalf? If you offer a postal preference for either, please apply it to my record and tell me what it covers. Please keep my membership and member communications as they are.

Next step after the association answers

If the association says it mails sponsor promotions itself, ask it to apply its postal preference to your record. If it says it shares addresses, send each vendor still mailing you a short request with your name and address exactly as printed.

Official source

FTC: How To Stop Junk Mail

Ask whether a postal preference covers partner sharing Ask about a printed member directory you do not use Review optional association mail after retirement Ask about a digital association magazine Membership preferences All practical mail guides

Have an unwanted advertisement ready?

Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.

Try one request free