JUNK MAIL

The prize draw letter sent in by a Dromore listener, just this week, looks like yet another of these too good to be true prize draws – it’s from Lifestyle Rewards UK, and yes, it is yet another premium rate phone number - you have to ring an 09 number to claim your wonderful prize which ranges from a BMW Z4 convertible to £50 cash.

But this one is different because Lifestyle Rewards claim to have got this lady’s name and number from the electoral roll – But as Mary explained, when she registered to vote last autumn, she carefully ticked the box that is supposed to stop this happening.

So where are Lifestyle Rewards UK getting their names and addresses? A spokesman for the company told me "They’d made a mistake and had got names and addresses from the electoral roll and other mailing lists, and this was being rectified."

But is that good enough? Not according to Rob Dwight of the Premium Rate Watchdog body ICSTIS. In an interview On Your Behalf ICSTIS said they have concerns about the way this company is conducting its mailshots and will be investigating further. But is Mary’s name on the electoral roll that’s available to all and sundry! That’s what she’s worried about
On Your Behalf talks to the Head of Electoral Commission NI

ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The Northern Ireland office
The Electoral Commission
Seatem House
28-32 Alfred Street
Belfast
BT2 8EN
Tel: 028 9089 4020
Fax: 028 9089 4026

The Information Commissioner says you have a fundamental right to op out of direct marketing by post or by telephone.
To exercise that right, put it in writing to the company concerned. If after a certain time the mailing continues, contact the Information Commissioner and they will take up the issue On Your Behalf.

Data Protection Help Line
Tel: 01625 545 745
Email: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Post
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow
Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Fax 01625 524 510

And you can opt out of unwanted telephone calls by contacting The Telephone Preference Service

TELEPHONE PREFERENCE SERVICE
0845 070 0707
Tel: 020 7291 3320
Fax: 020 7323 4226

ICSTIS Premium Rate Watchdog Body

ICSTIS, Clove Building, 4 Maguire Street, London SE1 2NQ
Main switchboard - 020 7940 7474 (9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday)
Fax - 020 7940 7456

Previously on the programme we asked... Would it take 5 months to get on to a mailing list if you were buying? Mrs Black wants to know, because it’s taking 5 months for this listener to get off the Readers Digest Mailing List.

Mrs Black told us that when her father realised he was seriously ill, he decided to put his affairs in order, and cancelled his subscription to Readers Digest. That was 5 months ago. And despite many letters and phone calls, the mailings and books keep coming.
Readers Digest have apologised for this and say it should not have taken so long for the mailings to cease. This was an administrative error. The books and letters should now come to an end.

If you’re bothered with junk mail of any sort you can contact the Mailing Preference Service on 0207 291 3310

MAILING PREFERENCE SERVICE

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a non-profit making body. Set up in 1983, it aims to foster good relations between direct mail users and the general public. Although a great many people enjoy receiving information about products and services by post, it is also true to say that not everyone welcomes such mailings.

Putting your mind at rest

Many people are concerned that private information about them is being kept on file by organisations they have never dealt with. In fact, the only data normally held is your name, address and maybe the fact that you have bought a certain type of product before.

Nevertheless, the MPS respects your right to choose whether you want this information to remain on the mailing list.

As a member of the Committee of Advertising Practice, with the backing of the Data Protection Registrar, we can give you the opportunity to have your name removed from – or indeed added to – mailing lists.

Acting in everyone’s best interests

Unwanted, unread direct mail serves no purpose – neither to you nor the advertisers who send it.

As responsible professionals, direct mailers are keen to ensure that their message reaches the people who will respond to it. The last thing they want is to waste their valuable resources by mailing people who simply are not interested.

That is one of the reasons why the direct mailing industry itself funds the work of the Mailing Preference Service – by paying a levy whenever they use Mailsort, the Royal Mail service for volume mailings.

The industry also realises how upsetting it can be for a bereaved person to continue to receive mail to a deceased member of their family –and this service can help in these circumstances.

Before you make your decision

Last year, consumers purchased eight billion pounds worth of products and services offered by post. As many people would agree, receiving information by post has many advantages. It offers you the chance to make unpressured decisions in your own home – particularly helpful if you are considering financial services.

Shopping from home is certainly convenient – and can often bring better value, too. Direct mail can also give you the chance to take advantage of special value offers or details of new products.

And of course many charities could not hope to remain as active as they are without donations raised through the post.

Please bear in mind that taking your name off lists now may prevent you from receiving certain information you may find of interest in the future.

It’s worth considering issues such as these before coming to your decision on what action to take.

How MPS can help

MPS can either remove your name from mailing lists, or have it added to as many lists as possible – it is up to you. Once you have made your decision, all you have to do is complete and return the enclosed application form. You will not need a stamp. After receiving your form, we will inform our licensed direct mail users of your request.

Some points to remember

Your name will remain on file for five years. If you want to continue receiving the service beyond this date, you will need to apply again.

If you are currently receiving mailings with an incorrect version of your name and address, you will need to contact the mailer direct to correct this information.

Your will still receive mailings from companies with whom you have done business in the past, as well as from some small local companies. If you wish to stop these mailings you should contact the companies direct.

Allow at least three months for mail to start to decrease.

Unaddressed material is not covered by MPS.

Please remember to let MPS know of any change of address.

COURT VICTORY OVER LISTS FOR JUNK MAIL

The chances of receiving junk mail in the post diminished this week after a retired accountant won a landmark ruling in the High Court that declared the supply of electoral register details to firms was a breach of his human rights.

He refused to enter his name on the electoral register because his council sold the information to companies who used it for mailshots to households.

It was found that the Government had breached the European Convention on Human Rights in that the interference to your private life was disproportionate and not justified and it had restricted his right to vote.

The case will affect every person of voting age, every local authority and a number of government departments.

If you want to stop Junk Mail contact:-

Mailing Preference Service

5th Floor
Haymarket House
1 Oxendon Street
London
SW1Y 4EE

Tel: 020 7291 3310
Fax: 020 7976 1886