What should I do if I don't receive my username and password?
Why do you need to send me an Activation Code (AC)?
Is my data/information safe with you?
What's the difference between itsmypost.com and the Mailing Preference Service?
I've registered and I'm still getting mail - why?
How quickly will it stop the mail?
Is it possible to register someone else?
Can I register my whole family or household?
Can companies I contact, contact me?
Why can't you guarantee that all the companies will stop mailing me?
Is paying for the electronic service better than choosing the Free option?
What happens if I move house?
How long is my subscription?
I've paid for the electronic service but now I've changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
When I registered I didn't want mail from X or Y company but now I do. What do I do?
I do not have access to the internet, can I use the service?
What should I do if I don't receive my username and password?
Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have complex filters that will block any incoming mail from addresses they do not recognise. In order to avoid this happening, you will need to add the email.admin@itsmypost.com address to your personal address book, then simply return to the itsmypost.com Welcome Page, click on 'Forgotten your username or password' and re-enter your email address.
Why do you need to send me an Activation Code (AC)?
One of the most important issues is to ensure that the person subscribing to itsmypost.com is actually who they say they are; otherwise mailers may be able to suggest that they have not used the data because they couldn’t be sure. When you register and make your payment, we also check the details of your address with the credit card company – your AC is then sent to the address you provided when you registered. This ensures that you are who you say you are and provides mailers with a lot of comfort so that they will respect your choice.
Is my data/information safe with you?
Absolutely. The REaD Group plc that runs and owns the service has been helping consumers deal with problem mailers since the early 90s and is a well known and highly trusted service provider. The Data Protection Act states explicitly that data should only ever be used for the purposes for which it was originally obtained; this data will only be used to stop you from getting mail that you don't want - guaranteed.
What's the difference between itsmypost.com and the Mailing Preference Service?
The Mailing Preference Service is a well established and widely used service run by the Direct Marketing Association UK. Essentially it is for anyone who does not wish to receive any unsolicited direct mail at all. That said, the research undertaken by itsmypost.com in Jan 2006, in conjunction with YouGov, showed that the vast majority of the public wanted to continue getting some of their post – they did not want to stop it all. You should also note that MPS will only stop ‘unsolicited’ direct mail – if you have had a relationship in the past with a company they will still be able to mail you.
I've registered and I'm still getting mail - why?
There could be a number of reasons for this. It could be that the company prepared the mailing database before you registered; in some cases this can be three or four months in advance. It could be that they have chosen to ignore your request (by doing so they are in breach of the Data Protection Act). It could be a genuine oversight by the company and they just need to be reminded about your request. If you are still having problems, simply email admin@itsmypost.com and we will endeavour to help you.
How quickly will it stop the mail?
This depends on the company. The Information Commissioner's Office suggests that a reasonable time to have your name removed from a mailing database is 28 days. It is important to remember that some companies will prepare mailing files many months in advance and consequently you may still get some mail. We expect that you will see a difference within six weeks and virtually none from the companies you have selected within four months.
Is it possible to register someone else?
Yes, but only if you are doing so with their permission and in their name. It is crucial to the success of the service that the requests are sent in compliance of the Data Protection Act, therefore the details must relate specifically to an individual. For example, if you were registering your mother, it must be her address and her credit card details that are given.
Can I register my whole family or household?
Currently, no. Again this is something that we are looking at however, in order to remain compliant with the Data Protection Act, it must be an individual that submits a request to a company to not receive mail.
Can companies I contact, contact me?
Yes, it is a company's right to write to you once to confirm that your request is legitimate. This must only be for the purposes of confirming your request; they are NOT allowed to send you a brochure or sales literature. It is likely that most companies will confirm through your itsmypost.com email address, which we will forward onto you. Remember, your real email address is never revealed to the mailer.
Why can't you guarantee that all the companies will stop mailing me?
We wish we could but in reality some companies are known to be less responsible than we would wish them to be. There are things that can be done about those companies that continue to flout the law but the Information Commissioner’s Office is clear that it is unable to take up individual cases; it needs repeated notices of breach. itsmypost.com of course becomes the ideal base from which to collectively tackle these offenders.
Is paying for the electronic service better than choosing the Free option?
This is, of course, your personal choice but we believe that it is. One of the most controversial aspects of getting junk mail is the amount of waste that is created and how that might impact on our environment. By using the letter option you might be adding to this problem, whereas the electronic option significantly reduces the amount of waste created both by sending out direct mail in the first place and through informing companies of your choices. It is also quicker and you can be assured that your communication has actually arrived.
What happens if I move house?
Of course, when you first move house you will not be on many databases, yet within a short space of time you will appear on many. Any company from whom you have elected not to receive mailings will not know that you have moved - so you need to tell them. At any point during your annual subscription should you move house, you will be required to re-register at your new address as itsmypost.com will need to validate the new details provided. When you have saved these changes we will send a new email to all the companies that you have selected.
How long is my subscription?
Your £4.95 will last for 12 months from the date of registration. Throughout the year we will send you details of the new companies that have been registered on the site and keep you appraised of developments.
I've paid for the electronic service but now I've changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
We want you to get the most out of itsmypost.com. If you feel that the service does not meet your needs, simply send us an email to admin@itsmypost.com telling us that you no longer wish to subscribe and we will happily refund your money, minus an adminstration charge of £1.95. We ask that all requests for a refund are received within one month from the date of registration.
When I registered I didn't want mail from X or Y company but now I do. What do I do?
The goal of itsmypost.com is to let you take control of your letterbox. We also recognise that people’s needs change and you should be able to get what you want, not what you don’t want. You should simply go to Your Profile and double click on the company that you now want to hear from – it will turn from red to green; itsmypost.com will then ensure an email is sent from you to the company to advise of the change. Equally, you may wish to stop getting mail from them again in a few months time; simply double click the company and we will do the same again.
I do not have access to the internet, can I use the service?
Currently, itsmypost.com is an online service only. We are investigating ways in which we may be able to expand the use of the service, however this is unlikely to happen within the next 12 months. In the meantime, you may like to visit your local library or Citizen's Advice Bureau who may have an internet connection and might be able to help you.