Besieged by unwanted mail, telephone calls, faxes and emails?

Just waded through a mountain of "junk" mail as you opened your front door? Or perhaps you have just sat down to a meal when the phone rings and it turns out to be someone selling double glazing? Is your fax machine churning out unwanted mail shots and surveys? Do you log on to your email to find objectionable "spam"?

Most people expect to receive some sort of junk mail through their letterbox, the occasional phone call from a direct marketing company, or an odd unsolicited fax or email offering a "too-good-to-miss" credit deal. In fact, some people enjoy receiving details of goods and services, and interesting news and information. However, to others, unwanted letters, faxes and telephone calls are a source of irritation. If you fall into this category, City of York trading standards officers advise there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the number you receive.

- Consumers can register with the Mailing Preference Service to remove their names from most mailing lists, and significantly reduce those unwanted leaflets and letters dropping on the doormat.

- Legislation is also in place to prevent unwanted calls and faxes, too. All you have to do is register with the Telephone Preference Service and Fax Preference Service. It takes up to 28 days for registration to take effect. It is unlawful for people to make direct marketing calls to individuals who have indicated that they do not wish to receive such calls. Before registering, you should remember that registration may prevent you from receiving information you might be interested in.

- The problem with junk emails (known as 'spam') is more difficult to deal with. The Direct Marketing Association has an email preference service, but registration is unlikely to stop persistent "spammers" based abroad. The European Commission is drafting legislation but, until the steps are implemented to curb the problem, the best advice is probably to delete any suspicious emails without opening them (junk emails can spread viruses) or buy filtering software. Don't be tempted to reply to senders of junk emails, even to ask to unsubscribe, as that confirms you are a "live" address and, as such, worth sending more emails of a similar type to. Think of your email as your home address and be careful who you give it to.

- For further information on how to avoid unwanted mail, telephone calls, faxes and e-mails, or to discuss a consumer problem, please telephone 01904 551562, or call at 9 St Leonard's Place. The email address is trading.standards@york.gov.uk and the fax number is 01904 551590.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, March 28, 2002