Practical tips from Dawn Grimshaw and the Omaha Home Pros Team at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Good Life Group
Unwanted offers can pile up quickly in your mailbox, inbox, and on your phone. While there’s no single switch that stops every solicitation, a few simple steps can significantly reduce the clutter.
1. Reduce unwanted postal mail
- Visit DMAchoice.org to manage many types of promotional mail. The service may charge a small registration fee and does not cover every sender.
- Use OptOutPrescreen.com, or call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) to opt out of many prescreened credit and insurance offers. This is the official service associated with the major credit reporting agencies.
- For catalogs and charity mailings, contact the organization directly and request removal from its mailing list. Keep a record of your request.
- To reduce marketing mail addressed to a former resident, mark eligible unopened pieces ‘Not at this address’ and return them to the postal carrier.
2. Limit telemarketing calls and texts
- Register your number at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register. Registration is free and does not expire.
- Turn on your phone’s built-in spam-call filtering, and check whether your wireless carrier offers additional call blocking.
- Don’t press numbers on suspicious robocalls to ‘unsubscribe.’ Hang up instead. Report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov.
- Block and report suspicious text messages. In the U.S., you can forward many spam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Do not click unexpected links.
3. Clean up promotional email
- Use the unsubscribe link in legitimate marketing emails from senders you recognize. For suspicious messages, mark them as spam or phishing instead of clicking links.
- Set up inbox filters for recurring promotional messages, and consider a separate email address for shopping, loyalty programs, and sign-ups.
- Review marketing preferences in online accounts and turn off optional promotional communications.
4. Protect your information going forward
- Share your phone number and email only when necessary. Look for prechecked marketing-consent boxes before submitting forms.
- Be cautious with giveaways, online quotes, and ‘free’ offers that ask for extensive contact details.
- Check privacy settings on social media and online accounts, and avoid publishing your primary contact information publicly.
5. Watch out for “new homeowner” spam after you close
When you buy a home, the sale becomes public record. Your name, your new address and details about your mortgage are recorded with the county, and companies pull that information almost immediately. Within days of closing, many new homeowners start getting letters, calls and emails that look official but are really sales pitches or scams.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Mail that claims to be from your mortgage company. These letters often use your lender’s name, loan amount or closing date to look legitimate, then try to sell you “mortgage protection” insurance or ask you to “update” your loan information.
- Offers to send you a copy of your deed or title for a fee. You don’t need to pay a company for this. Your recorded deed is sent to you after closing, and if you ever need another copy, you can request one from the county Register of Deeds for a small fee.
- Urgent “final notices” and deadlines. Pressure to act quickly or pay right away is a red flag.
When in doubt, verify before you pay or share anything. Contact your Realtor, lender, or title company directly using a phone number you already have, not one printed on the letter. Most of this mail is spam, and a quick call can save you money and stress.
What to expect
Changes are not always immediate, and some categories of mail and calls are exempt from opt-out programs. Government notices, existing business communications, political messages, and certain nonprofit outreach may still reach you. If you suspect fraud, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
A helpful reminder from our team
Dawn Grimshaw and the Omaha Home Pros Team believe useful information should make everyday life a little easier. Save these resources, and share them with someone who could use them!
Dawn Grimshaw | Omaha Home Pros Team
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Good Life Group
Omaha, Nebraska
