Make a useful mail summary for a distant helper
A distant helper needs sender names and decisions, not copies of letters. Each week, list the sender, a plain category for each advertisement, and what the recipient wants done. Leave medical and financial mail off the list entirely.
Build the weekly list
- Go through the week's ordinary advertising with the recipient and ask about each piece. Do not decide for them.
- For each mailing, record the sender name as printed, a category such as catalog, charity appeal or coupon mailer, and the recipient's choice: keep, stop or undecided.
- Set aside anything from a doctor, insurer, bank, government office or lawyer. Do not list, describe or photograph it for the helper. It stays with the recipient or the person they have authorized.
- Send the list through a channel the recipient approves. Ask the helper to reply with the senders they will contact and any questions.
- Carry undecided items to next week's list instead of guessing.
Keep each line short
A sender name and a category are enough for the helper to find that sender's contact route. Leave out account numbers, appointment dates and amounts. Removing a catalog does not need them, and they would expose private details.
If an advertisement arrives under a former name or an older address, note that exactly as printed, because the sender may need it to find the record.
Private weekly list format
Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.
Set the routine
On the first call, agree who writes the list, which day it goes out, and how the helper reports back which requests were sent. Write those agreements at the top of the next list. Then the helper can make the first request on the stop list.
Official source
Keep personal records with the organization that handles them
Junk Mail Magic is for ordinary unwanted advertising. Use the official contact route in this guide for records, account changes or someone else’s correspondence.
Compare removal routes