Stop the Drop - FAQs

01. What rights do I have regarding direct marketing?

You must be told when your information is collected that it is going to be used for direct marketing, unless this is obvious. This is particularly the case when an organisation intends to give your information to others so they can also send you direct marketing.

You have a right under the Data Protection Act 1998 to object to your personal information being used for direct marketing. To do this, you can tick an opt-out box if one is provided at the time of giving your information, or you can write to the organisation asking them to stop using your personal information for direct marketing. The organisation must comply with your request within a reasonable period. This should normally take no longer than 28 days.

More information about this right can be found in a leaflet produced by the Information Commissioner’s Office. To access this leaflet, you can:

Visit: www.ico.gov.uk

Call: 01625 545745

02. How can I stop mailings from overseas?

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) file is available to overseas based companies however many companies who mail the UK from overseas do so to avoid legal and self regulatory restrictions. We would advise caution in responding to unsolicited mail posted from overseas especially if they are asking you to send them money. If you are receiving unsolicited mailings sent from overseas, you should contact the company who sent the unsolicited mailing directly and ask to be removed from their mailing lists.

To find out more:

Visit: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Call: 08454 04 05 06

03. How can I stop free newspapers and flyers?

The ‘Your Choice’ preference service allows you to ask distribution companies that are members of the Direct Marketing Association to stop delivering unaddressed mail to your home. Unaddressed mail includes items such as free newspapers, free magazines, catalogues, information leaflets, advertising brochures and money-off coupons, local directories and free product samples.

Find out more about registering with the ‘Your Choice’ preference service. Stickers can also be put on front doors and letter boxes asking for co-operation from those who deliver this material. For example: No Free Newspapers, Ads or Flyers – Thank You!

04. I am receiving unsolicited direct marketing mail in somebody else’s name. How can I stop this?

You have a couple of options for mail that is addressed to someone who no longer lives at your address.

You can either write to the sender or return the mail to the sender indicating that the addressee is no longer at this address. (Returning mail to the sender without clearly stating that the addressee is no longer at this address may result in future mailings being delivered to the same name and address).

You can also register with the Mailing Preference Service the names of previous occupant’s at your current address.

Find out more about registering with the Mailing Preference Service. (link to mailing preference service)

05. How can I stop mail being sent to a deceased person?

The Bereavement Register is a free service specifically designed to remove the names and addresses of people who have died from databases and mailing files.

To find out more visit:

www.the-bereavement-register.com (link to bereavement register)

You can also register their details onto the Mailing Preference Service (MPS). This will reduce unsolicited personally addressed mailings received under their name.

Find out more about registering with the Mailing Preference Service.

If there are companies that the person had dealings with we would recommend you contact them directly

06. I think a mailing I received is a scam. What should I do?

If you receive a mailing, especially from overseas, which you think is a scam you should contact Consumer Direct for advice.

To find out more visit:

Visit: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk (link to consumer direct)

Call: 08454 04 05 06

The Office of Fair Trading lists three things to look out for in terms of scam mailings:

• They ask you to send money straight away
• They give you a PO BOX number as their address
• They ask you not to tell anyone about the deal

07. What should I do if I have difficulty stopping unwanted mail?

If you have registered with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) but are still receiving personally addressed direct mailings, you can complain directly to the MPS, who will investigate and contact the company sending the mail.

Remember the MPS service can take up to four months to take full effect and cannot stop mail from companies who you are a customer of, or from companies from which you have requested mailings.

For further information on how to make a complaint:

Visit: www.mpsonline.org.uk

Call: 0845 703 4599

If you are receiving unwanted mail from an organisation you have written to, requesting that they stop sending you direct marketing materials, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

For further information and advise visit:

Visit: www.ico.gov.uk

Call: 08456 306060

08. How can I avoid generating unwanted mail?

One of the best ways to stop unwanted marketing is to tick the appropriate box on any form you fill out.

The Write to Sender page can tell you more. (Link to step one of 5 step process)

09. How can I avoid getting a specific type of unwanted mail?

The following websites can assist you in reducing the amount of unwanted mail you receive:

• The Mailing Preference Service
• The Royal Mail’s Door to Door Service
• The edited version of the electoral register
• Information Commissioner’s Office
• The DMA’s Your Choice Preference Service

Contact Us

If you have a specific question regarding unwanted mail, and you cannot find a solution in our Frequently Asked Questions, please contact us.