Catalog Choice catalogchoice.org How to opt out of catalogs with Catalog Choice
Catalog Choice is a mail preference service that sends opt-out requests to catalog and junk mail senders for you. Search for the sender on catalogchoice.org and submit the opt-out. Most merchants take 6 to 8 weeks to stop mailing, and no law makes them comply.
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Step by step
- 1
Gather the mail you want to stop
Collect the catalogs and junk mail you get. The sender's name and the address label help you find the right listing.
- 2
Go to Catalog Choice
Open catalogchoice.org. Its database holds nearly 10,000 titles, from clothing brands to credit card companies to charities.
- 3
Search for the sender
Search for each catalog or mailer by name. The site has a sign-up page if you need an account to save your requests.
- 4
Submit the opt-out
Submit the request. Catalog Choice then contacts the sender on your behalf.
- 5
Wait and watch your mailbox
The FAQ says it may take 6 to 8 weeks to stop receiving mail from a merchant after your request is processed. Some listings can take up to 90 days.
Watch out for
- There is no law requiring companies to honor opt-out requests. Catalog Choice relies on merchants taking part voluntarily.
- Mail can keep arriving for 6 to 8 weeks after you submit, and longer for some senders.
- Some listings send you to DMAchoice.org to finish the request.
- You opt out sender by sender, so new senders that buy your address can start mailing you again.
Other ways to do it
- 1
Opt out for someone else
Catalog Choice says you can cancel catalogs and junk mail for another person, including a previous occupant or a deceased family member.
What stays out there
Catalog Choice reduces the paper mail you get from the senders you opt out of. It doesn't touch the data behind that mail. Marketing lists, data brokers and people-search sites can still hold your name, home address and household details, and they can sell them to new senders.
Serus finds where your details are listed and removes them, then watches for them coming back. To see what's listed about you, run a free scan.
Frequently asked
How long does Catalog Choice take to work?
The FAQ says it may take 6 to 8 weeks to stop receiving mail from a merchant after your request is processed. One listing says up to 90 days.
Do companies have to honor Catalog Choice requests?
No. Catalog Choice's FAQ says there is no law requiring companies to honor opt-out requests, so it depends on voluntary participation.
Can I opt out for a relative who has died?
Yes. Catalog Choice says it can cancel catalogs and junk mail for another person, including a previous occupant or a deceased family member.
How many catalogs can I find on Catalog Choice?
The site says its database holds nearly 10,000 titles, including clothing brands, credit card companies and charities.
Sources
Related guide Guide: How to Delete Yourself from the Internet Something changed? If these steps no longer match what you see, tell us and we'll re-check it.
