Junk Mail Magic

Review joint marketing records after a separation

Start with the catalogs addressed to both of you. Ask each sender whether it can give you a separate advertising preference or remove your name from the joint record. You can decide only for your own name. The other adult sets their own preferences, even when both names share one label.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Sort the jointly addressed mail

  1. Pull out catalogs and flyers that show both names or a combined salutation. Write down the sender, the exact name line and the address as printed.
  2. Mark your own choice for each sender: keep, stop or ask. Do not record a choice for the other adult.
  3. Find the sender's official contact page or mailing-preferences option. Ask whether it can split the joint record or remove only your name. Do not assume it can.
  4. Send the request in your own name. Do not ask the sender to change the other adult's preference or any account you do not control.
  5. Record the date and any reply. Compare the name line on the next catalog from that sender with the line you wrote down.

When one record holds both names

A sender may keep a single record for the household. If it does, a request to stop mail for your name could end the whole mailing, or it could leave the joint mail unchanged. Ask how the sender will handle the request before you count on a particular result.

If a joint mailer is a credit or insurance offer, ask that sender about its own mailing choices. Whether the offer falls under the prescreen program depends on how it was made, so do not assume it does.

Joint-catalog worksheet

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

Sender: [company] Name line as printed: [names] Address as printed: [address] My choice for my name only: [keep / stop / ask] Question for sender: Can you remove my name from this joint record, or set a separate preference for me, without changing the other adult's choice? Date asked: [date] Reply: [reply] Name line on next mailer: [name line]

When you both use a sender

Some senders mail catalogs that both of you still want. For each of these, ask whether the sender can keep a separate record for each adult at their own address. If the other adult is not part of the conversation, leave their record alone and send a request only for your own name.

Official source

Keep each adult’s privacy and mailing choices separateKeep different postal preferences as a coupleChange an advertising salutation after a divorcePlan prescreen choices for two adults at one addressFamily milestonesAll 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