😤 How Are YOU Handling UNWANTED mail - calls -emails?

[SummerOnTheWay1]

Between Medicare, AARP & Other Folks - I think I should be getting a PAYCHECK!!!  🙄🙄🙄

[1] Have YOU made any efforts to STOP this?

[2] If YES, successful?

[3] Lol, and any TIPS to share that has WORKED for you!!!  👍👍👍

Thanks,

Nicole  👵  (Friends & Family Forum)

[Tempest332]

About 30 hangups a day on the home phone... did everyone get their Lifelock offer from AARP last week? 

[ClaytonWing · Accepted solution]

I didn’t receive LifeLock offer. I assume because I have selected “Limit Sharing” with AARP. Which prevents me receiving AARP’s third party postal mailers.

 AARP Limit Sharing  > Right to opt out of sharing

Reduce your unwanted phone calls by (I receive zero) - 

• Registering with National Do Not Call Registry
• Opt out of sharing & marketing with each company you have a business relationship with. See companies privacy policy for their opt out procedure.
• Obtain annual free credit reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Innovis). Remove phone number(s) listed. TIP: Opt out of sharing with each creditor listed before disputing number.
• Eliminate your unwanted non-first class postal mail (aka junk mail). Which will remove your personal info from several marketing databases which normally has a phone number listed.
• Political calls - Your voter registration info (name, address, phone number, email, etc.) is public record and is accessible by anyone (including marketing companies). Remove phone number from voter registration - there is NO law requiring individuals to have a phone.
• Charity Calls - If you donated to charity close your donor account. Don’t forget to opt out of sharing & marketing.
  
• Remove info (name/address/phone/email) from Infocision.
• Medicare calls - Do NOT answer call from unknown number! Answering call verifies number is live and will be shared with other companies.
• Find a number you like and keep it FOREVER - changing phone number won’t avoid unwanted calls/texts.
• Search phone number in free lookup sites - how many individuals are connected to your number. These calls could be intended for these past owners. Take steps to stop previous owner(s) phone calls.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  [Sunday 9/15/24]

Since signing up with Aetna Medicare LAST year September when I turned 65, life was good as far as my SATISFACTION with them.

Lol, then my H.LL started with their MARKETING snail mail arriving in my mailbox EVERY WEEK.

SAME letter EVERY TIME.

Finally decided to TRY to get it STOPPED as I feel IF I wanted to CHANGE the PLAN I have - I can CALL them.

Total waste of my time trying.

Even received SNAIL MAIL from their COMPLAINT DEPT stating this would be FIXED.

Nope, CONTINUED.

So I called the HUMAN who sent me the letter and got her VOICEMAIL several times. Totally disgusted as I was so IMPRESSED with her.

Sad that these companies WASTE SO MUCH PAPER, INK, STAFF AND POSTAGE sending "unwanted" mail.

Hmmm, how about using that money to HELP us Seniors with our Medicare and other Old People expenses.

Lol, I guess EMPTYING my "tiny" apt mailbox EVERY WEEK to avoid p.ssing off my mailman is my contribution to society.

Would be AWESOME to NOT have to walk to my mailbox CLUSTER where ALL mailboxes are.

Thanks Aetna!!!

Nicole  👵

[ClaytonWing]

Top insurance brands (ex. Aetna) use a company called Tranzact to generate sales.

Contact Tranzact and ask for your info (name/address/phone/email) be removed from their marketing lists.

[GailL1]

@SummerOnTheWay1 

If this is your insurer, and it is now almost time for the Medicare Open Enrollment to begin for Medicare Advantage plans OR free-standing Prescription Drug plans , you do have some decisions to make - 

If they are telling you to review your plan for changes to the 2025 plan, you need to review it because a lot is changing and you need to pick the plan that is best for your needs for 2025.  Medicare Advantage Plans and free-standing Prescription Drug Plans don’t have to stay the same from year to year.  They maybe telling you that the Annual Notice of Change is available to view perhaps on their website.

This is especially important for 2025 plans since there was so much that changed legislatively.

CMS.gov - Medicare Open Enrollment 

You will probably start to get publications from other insurers in your area the closer we get to the middle of October when Medicare Open Enrollment begins.  They will all be trying to get your business - they have a certain amount that is designated as solicitation and the money they spend in that category is over and above what they get from the government (Medicare) for your care and medications.

So for the next couple of months, you will be getting lots of mail.  If your mailbox is as far away as mine [and up hill] , I just consider it part of my exercise regiment.

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  (Monday 5/13/24 7:46am ET)

I just received an email from my LOCAL POST OFFICE saying I have mail from AARP.  🙄🙄🙄

I usually SHRED IT [all I need is my identity stolen in my old age, thanks AARP], but this time:

[1] I am keeping mail.

[2] Calling ▶️*** New York Life Insurance ***◀️  to REQUEST removal from their DATA BASE.

Then WAIT to see IF I get more mail from them.

Lol, on envelope it says TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY.

So AARP, what happens IF a dishonest Postal Worker PRETENDS to be me??? Do you care??? No you DO NOT = it has been 3 years of h.ll with CONTINUING to have my Mailbox FULL of unwanted mail from you.

[1] Who is paying for the postage and printing???

[2] When are you going to STOP disrespecting non-members when they have chosen to CANCEL their AARP Membership???

📸  Attaching a picture of TODAY's mail arrival from AARP - so over this!!!  😤😤😤

*** And I DO NOT need a "response" from @AARPConsumerCare , waste of my time  ***

Nicole  👵

[ClaytonWing]

Limit sharing with AARP - this will prevent postal mailers from AARP affiliates/third parties. Ex. AARP NY Life, AARP Hartford, AARP Medicare Supplement, etc.

• Member (current/past) - Visit AARP’s website and select Privacy Hub and/or Your Privacy Choices (bottom of webpage). Both options will direct you to aarp.org/privacy > Fill out form “Right to opt out of sharing”. Enter name/email connected to your AARP account as well as your AARP member number.

Unsure of membership number - see physical membership card, nine digit number on mailing label of AARP Magazine/Bulletin, log into AARP account and view your digital card. Past members - if unable to locate membership number treat yourself as a non-member (see below).

* Non-member contact affiliate directly via email and request removal of name/address from their postal mailing list. A companies email address is normally located in their privacy policy.

AARP NY Life - email removal request to New York Life Privacy 

AARP Hartford life - email removal request to - Hartford Consumer Privacy Inquiries Mailbox 

AARP Medicare Supplement Plan (United Healthcare) - email removal request to - United Healthcare Group Consumer Affairs 

TIPS:  Do NOT call sender of unwanted postal mailers. Why? They will add your phone number to your marketing listing. Marketing listings are shared with other marketing companies. Instead use your fake/junk email (ex. Old Hotmail, AOL email).

Attach image of mailer from USPS’s email (Informed Delivery) to removal request.

You may be receiving AARP mailers in several name/address variations. EACH variation will need their own separate emailed removal request.

If receiving AARP mailers with your address/another name (ex. past residents). Request removal of their name/address as well. Even if they appear in Informed Delivery but aren’t physically delivered to your mailbox.

Use services like CatalogChoice & PaperKarma to assist with reducing unwanted postal mail from AARP affiliates/third parties.

[Tempest332]

All junk mail. Used to take it to dads & have a bonfire a couple times a year, now I have to shred it & hope for the best.   LOL, Life insurance, the last thing I need. 

How are you posting here without a membership?

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  (5/13/24) @Tempest332 , I didnot know non-members could post on this site until a member had stated she has been posting here from 2008 as a non-member.

Lol, that is WHY the Spammers & Con Artists luv this site.

The OTHER junk I get is I guess is part of having a mailbox in the United States.  🙄🙄🙄

But me getting Life Insurance Mail thanks to AARP for 3 YEARS now after CANCELING my membership 3 YEARS ago = nope, not going to keep happening. Has my personal info.

I am p.ssed enough NOW to start a PROJECT to stop this total disrespect!!!

Did I ask AARP to keep sending me LIFE INSURANCE FORMS???

NO!!!

Anyway, mail has not come as yet - had checked box when I returned from CVS earlier.

I will check again tomorrow when I get back from Walmart.

*** And I DO NOT need a "response" from @AARPConsumerCare , waste of my time ***

Nicole  👵

---

[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

All junk mail. Used to take it to dads & have a bonfire a couple times a year, now I have to shred it & hope for the best.   LOL, Life insurance, the last thing I need. 

How are you posting here without a membership? ***]

---

[Tempest332]

I was getting a lot of mail from a certain company (weekly) about signing up for Medicare part B, up till last year.  I finally called them & told them I was still ineligible for another 6 years, & do us all a favor & take me off their list.  Seemed to slow it down a bit.    

I still get senior based junk mail, & other junk. 

Spammers & Con Artists.... & Lions & Tigers & Bears?

[ClaytonWing]

 From experience…

If you share your name with a family member (ex. Father) you tend to start receiving senior/Medicare related mail when they come of age.

Why? Your marketing lists are entangled OR it is connected to an USPS COA (change of address).

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  (5/13/24) @Tempest332 , regular junk WITH NO PERSONAL INFO, I can live with. Trust me, AARP's junk is included in the circular pack we all get. That mail is GENERIC, to anyone. Annoying has h.ck, but does NOT have any info that can be stolen.

It is very easy to create accounts on this site and takes forever for spam to be removed. Then add the Private Mail tool. Lots of folks hunting for that Love Connection. Anyway, not my biz or concern. Hopefully folks have enough sense not to click on stuff or respond to those PMs that could be fishing.

*** And I DO NOT need a "response" from @AARPConsumerCare , waste of my time ***

Nicole  👵

---

[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

I was getting a lot of mail from a certain company (weekly) about signing up for Medicare part B, up till last year.  I finally called them & told them I was still ineligible for another 6 years, & do us all a favor & take me off their list.  Seemed to slow it down a bit.    

I still get senior based junk mail, & other junk. 

Spammers & Con Artists.... & Lions & Tigers & Bears? ***]

---

[ClaytonWing]

Stop weekly coupon inserts -

• Valassis coupon inserts (ex. SAVE, RetailMeNot, RedPlum) - Google “valassis opt out” for their direct Opt out link. This link will only stop inserts delivered to your mailbox. If they are thrown in driveway they are normally distributed by a local newspaper. Contact newspaper and request your address be removed from their distribution route.

• ValPak (opt out every 3 years) - Google “ValPak stop junk mail” for their direct Opt out link. Name = name on ValPak mailer (ex. To Our Friends at) - Phone number/email are optional - do NOT enter unless you want unwanted phone calls/texts/emails!

• MsPark - visit their website - Select mailing list removal at bottom of website. Enter name as it appears on mailer (ex. Postal Customer). Phone number & email are required - use generic phone number 5555555555 & your fake/junk email (ex. Old hotmail/aol).

NOTE: Sometimes referred to as “Marriage Mail”. Why? The contents are married/included into insert. Married pieces are normally local grocery store ads, AARP envelope, fast food coupons, etc.

[SereneSeagull]

Thanks for the ever growing helpful information you provide! 
Appreciate it, @ClaytonWing 

[Tempest332]

*** And I DO NOT need a "response" from @AARPConsumerCare , waste of my time ***

The mods got to my reply to you, said it would be posted after editing (???).  I guess I did enough damage today, though I didn't think there was anything offensive.  I think we can figure the cons drop in for a day or two, then disappear.  🤔

I came over here today to get the May bulletin downloaded.    

[Tempest332]

True, though I have yet to get any PM's via this site, I must be that toxic, but this is not a dating site either. 

I get those circulars too in my US mail, it's called Marriage mail, I only look at 4 of the store circulars, rest is junk. 

[Tempest332]

Marriage mail... Once a week ads & circulars, junk from home improvement companies, fast food coupons. Maybe even an ad from AARP.  Comes on Wednesday, usually all bundled together.

Edit: Marriage mail came on Tuesday this week. 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  (5/14/24) Aha @Tempest332 , I am NOT sure when my Marriage Mail arrives.

I did get the AARP Life Insurance Mail from my box LAST NIGHT.

It does have an 800 phone number which I will CALL today AFTER my Weekly Walmart Grocery Run this morning. Like to go when the youngsters are working and for now, the School Kids are NOT there. Dreading Summer Vacation as Walmart seems to be the place to hang out in and shoplift. Lol, keeps the cops busy.

Nicole  👵

---

[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

Marriage mail... Once a week ads & circulars, junk from home improvement companies, fast food coupons. Maybe even an ad from AARP.  Comes on Wednesday, usually all bundled together. ***]

---

[Tempest332]

I stopped going to the Super Wal*Mart, same thing, had gotten overridden with crime. I would tend to go there in off hours (after 9PM) when less busy.