receive is "junk mail" ? If you are like most of us, you receive more junk
mail than mail that is actually of interest. Junk mail does not pose a direct threat
to our privacy and security in and of itself. However, the fact that your name, address,
and who knows what other personal information is being sold, rented, or given to the
companies that send out the junk mail filling your mailbox should be of concern.
The question to ask yourself--and perhaeps the companies with which you choose
to conduct business--is, "What right does a company have to use my personal information
in it's marketing schemes without my consent?" If a company is going to make a profit
by selling your personal information, it should be at least have your permission
to do so,
A REAL THREAT
While i have said that junk mail does not pose a direct threat to our privacy and security in
and of itself, there is in fact a very real threat from direct marketing (junk mail) and telemarketers.
Many companies are using prison inmates to conduct telemarketing and screen responses
to direct marketing.
The November 15, 2001 edition of the Abilene Reporter-News reported
that a Texas woman, April Jordan, has filed a lawsuit against Sandsar Family Entertainment
for putting her family at risk by using felons to conduct telemarketing. Accoridng to
the reports, Jordan's 14-year-old daughter answered the felon's telemarketing call to the
Jordan home, and, as a result, this felon obtained the girl's name, home address, age, physical
description, and other personal information. The felon then provided this information
to another inmate, who sent a suggestive letter to this young girl!
The use of inmates to make telemarketing calls and process marketing information
is not a rare or unique occurrence. Major corporations, such as AT&T and Honda,
are reported to have used inmates for telemarketing and data-entry purposes, and TWA
is reported to have used inmates to make airline reservations.
There is perhaps a place for employing inmates (the old cliché of inmates making license
plates come to mind); however, using felons to gather personal information about you
and your family is clearly a problem.
Even if you never deal with telemarketers, there is still the potential of finding
your personal information in the hands of convicted and incarcerated felons, since
direct marketing lists are sold and rented among various businesses.
For people who want to receive marketing offers in the mail and have their names and
addresses sold to other companies, there should be an "opt-in" option (i.e., "Initial here
if we may use your name and address for marketing purposes.") Unfortunately, this
is not the case, and most companies just assume that once you conduct business with them your personal information is theirs to do with as they please.
HOW TO REMOVE YOURSLEF FROM THESE LISTS
While there is no "opt-in" option available, there is an "opt-out" one available.
Because most reputable businesses that engage in direct marketing (sending junk mail)
are members of the Direct Marketing Association(DMA), you can notify the DMA Mail
Preference Service and the DMA Telephone Preference Service that you do not wish
to receive direct marketing ads and calls from telemarketers, and they will add you to a
database of names and addresses to be excluded from mailing and telemarketing lists.
Of course, the DMA can do noting to limit junk mail from companies that do not subscribe to it,
so this is not an all-inclusive way to get rid of junk mail. However, opting out with the DMA
is a free service; all it takes is a few moments of your time and a couple of postage stamps.
To have your name removed from member mailing and/or telemarketing lists, contact the DMA
at the following addresses:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735
and
Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735
About the Author
Max Penn is the man behind the respected Spy equipment buying guide site.
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