The sheer volume of sales pitches and advertisements we see and hear every day can be irritating at best. And, according to this article from msnbc.com, some contact from advertisers should trigger alarm bells, because it might signal that your personal information has gotten into the hands of people or organizations you don’t want to have it.

Mailing & Contact Lists

The article notes that personal data—including telephone numbers, credit card information, addresses, age, marital status and more—is considered today to be a commodity like beans or oil. Electronic databases of consumer figures allow retailers, charities and advertisers to access you, even when you don’t explicitly give them your digits.

There are a few ways your information could become accessible to those looking for it:

• Online surveys. Filling out a survey that includes personal and contact information could lead to that information appearing on large-scale databases, meaning that anyone with access to the database can reach you to offer you a service or product. Be wary of sites that offer something that seems to good to be true, like a MP3 player, simply for filling out a survey.
• Charitable donations. Many charities share, rent or sell the contact information of donors as a source of income. If you’re unsure about the policy of a charity you give to, check its privacy policy online. And, next time you fill out a donation form, look carefully for boxes that let you indicate your privacy preferences.
• Prize drawings. Whenever you fill out a form with contact information, you risk having it added to a widely accessible database.
• Credit card use. When you pay using plastic, a store can cross-reference your card number with digital information and find other personal information if you’re in the system. This gives the vendor new ways of contacting you about sales and promotions.

Part of the reason why databases of consumer information are so popular among retailers is that the more they know about you, the better they can target their sales pitches. This translates to less money wasted on consumers not likely to purchase their goods.

Getting Off the Lists

If you’re interested in limiting the amount of contact you get from people trying to sell you stuff, you have some options.

• Do Not Call Registry: This registry allows U.S. citizens to opt out of receiving sales calls. It does not prevent political calls or those from legitimate charities.
• Mailbox Makeover: This service from the Direct Marketing Association lets you tailor what types of mailings and promotions you want receive so you can get only what interests you.

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