Here are some ways you can reduce telemarketing calls and direct mail marketing. Also, if you haven't recently requested your free credit report, you can find out how here. Millions of identities are stolen each year. Check your credit report regularly.
To be removed from telemarketing calling lists:
Register with National Do Not Call Registry: (888) 382-1222 or
www.donotcall.gov
This stops telemarketing companies from calling, it does not apply to charitable, political or survey calls. The do-not call list is for residential phone numbers, you can't add your business phone number. Apparently, the rumor about cell phone numbers being released to telemarketers is just a rumor but you can add your cell number, if you want.
The three credit reporting agencies sell your information to companies offering credit and other sales offers, to be removed from these lists, you have a couple choices:
Obtaining your free credit reports:
There are 3 credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Under federal law you can obtain a free credit report from each one annually. To order your free reports, go to
www.annualcreditreport.com where you can order your reports directly or download
the form to mail in your request. You can also call (877 ) 322-8228. You have the option to request all three reports at once or individually.
Tip
: To monitor your credit reports year round, get one report every four months.
To help protect yourself against identity theft, consider putting a security freeze on your credit file.
Caution: if you're going to be applying for credit, a freeze will interfere and you'll have to pay to reverse the freeze.
A security freeze gives consumers the choice to "freeze" or lock access to their credit file against anyone trying to open up a new account or to get new credit in their name. To find out more about the consequences of a security freeze, and how to place one on your credit file, visit:
If you'd like to read about even more ways to protect your privacy or reduce unwanted solicitations, many resources can be found here: