1. GET OFF CREDIT MAILING LISTS!
This page has some interesting info: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/cre ... screen.htm
The FTC is the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, part of the U.S. government. That is the official government site.
Most consumers are unaware of their options and rights, when it concerns not being harassed by marketing, including phone and mail. Also credit offers that can lead to identity theft.
The opt-out for credit card, insurance and mortgage offers is free: http://www.optoutprescreen.com
2. GET OFF TELEMARKETER LISTS!
The federal DO NOT CALL LIST is free: http://www.donotcall.gov
Some states have state Do Not Call lists, usually for a small processing fee (worth it), that further limit what is allowed, beyond the federal list. Texas does, for example.
If your cell phone is not getting calls, DO NOT ADD IT! The Do Not Call lists are exempt to political marketing calls, so they actually use these list to find new numbers.
3. GET OFF AS MANY JUNKMAIL LISTS AS POSSIBLE!
And then limit the amount of junkmail you get for a $1 fee: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html
4. CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT!
You are entitled to ONE FREE report per data-collection agency in a 12-month period. I suggest you do the EQUIFAX one first (generally the best of the three), and then the others staggered every 4 months so you can monitor your credit report for fraud at all times.
This is free: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/cre ... eports.htm for info, and then get it at http://www.annualcreditreport.com
5. AVOID SPAM AND VIRUS IN YOUR INBOX!
Microsoft Outlook is suggested (full version). Not the "Express" version, and not some third-party alternative. As much as you may or may not hate MS, this is a good product. You can usually get this for free with a new computer, or at a steep discount on an academic license.
You can the free "AVG" anti-virus software from Grisoft: http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
It will check your incoming e-mails and dump to a virus vault (and clean).
Then get the free SpamBayes anti-spam plug-in, which you can train really easily, and it is almost 100% effective. More info at http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/windows.html
Avoid being annoyed, scammed and swindled.
I like the smell of Napalm, first thing in the morning...
Attom