How to Stop Junk Emails

Back in February, we told you how to eliminate your paper junk mail. And although you may not think of junk email as “waste”, the cluttering of your inbox with superfluous or unwanted emails can be just as detrimental. Here are a few concrete steps you can take today to make that inbox just a bit lighter.

1. Start simple. Go through your inbox and unsubscribe to any emails from retailers or services you no longer use. Maybe the sale emails are too tempting or you no longer live near some of the retailer. Whatever the reason, doing a quick and thorough review of the emails you currently receive is a big step. Can’t seem to let the emails go? Many retailers now offer options when you click the unsubscribe button. Remain in the know for sales or deals by opting to receive emails once a week, rather than the daily ones you currently receive.
2. Once you’ve narrowed down the emails you want to receive, be sure only one of your email addresses is in their database. You may be unknowingly getting double the emails by using two email addresses funneling into the same inbox. They may not come up as duplicate emails all the time. Look for a (2) or similar indication next to the sender’s name and unsubscribe your lesser used email address.
3. Be cautious with your email. Although someone emailing you soliciting you to purchase something unprovoked is prohibited by the CANSPAM Act, you may still receive unwanted emails. Give out your email sparingly, or use a separate email account when releasing information to others. Unsubscribing from these email lists can be complicated and others may have already sold your email address.
4. Create folders. Just can’t seem to let the emails go? Create a folder that bypasses your inbox to remove the clutter. Those sale emails will always be ready for you in your folder, but you won’t be bothered by them at work or pop-up on your phone.
5. Finally, be sure your computer’s malware is up-to-date. Scammers can access your emails and email addresses and sell them to third parties along with other information.