There must also be considerable money in the student loan consolidation department. I've got some considerable debt stacked up (law school - yikes!). I actually consolidated last year. I get, I kid you not, 5 to 8 phone calls a day from various entities that want to "advise" me on consolidation or otherwise elbow in. And that is not to mention how many trees are being killed to send me letters -- usually designed to try and look like "official" or "important" documents from my school or the government --- also trying to get me to consolidate (or re-consolidate, or whatever).

Considering how much money they are spending trying to get my 'business', there must be a gold mine out here somewhere.

The fake checks are pretty despicable, but easy to spot. The ones that really burn my chaps come disguised as "Overdue Payment Notices."

Judging from the bulk mail, the consolidation industry isn't just profitable - it must be predatory, too. The pitches seem calculated to appeal to those with poor judgment.

And why don't you just junk the mail without opening it up?

I thought you were supposed to be smart?

:P

Geoff:

Opt out and they will quit sending you the stuff. If you need the info, I will send it to you on how to do it

I'd love to get that information; I'm heartily sick of having 70% of my mail be solicitations to consolidate, as is my mail carrier, I'd bet.

jwzich:

Try this:

1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). This will get you off of every solicitation (credit card, etc.) with the exception of the companies you are with at present.

For telemarketing, which is not legal now: 1-888-382-1222

To remove yourself from marketing lists:

Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service PO Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512 or

<link>

This should solve the issue for you in 99% o the cases. Old Consumer Advocate.

Six years after consolidating my loans, I am still receiving offers to re-consolidate. Two years ago I used the OPTOUT service and contacted each company that mailed something to have me removed from their lists. I still receive about 1 piece of mail per week with these offers; after tracking down through multiple layers of companies, I discovered that I have a banking relationship with the "great-grandfather" company and therefore cannot stop this mail.

I have found that sending back an empty "no postage required" envelope will stop the mail for a period of time.

Philip:

By calling them directly and asking to be removed from their solicitation list. Usually they will remove you as a courtesy to you. As I mentioned above, anyone you do business with can send you promotions. Most companies will remove you, if you request it.

Doesnt anyone find it disturbing that you have to go through all of this, simply to avoid constant harrassment by businesses impersonating the government?

What happened to personal privacy in this country? When did the Government sell us out to the credit bureaus?

Conner:

Not sure if this is a violation of interstate commerce or not if it was banned completely by law; but, it coule be such. Anyhoo, I would prefer to get excited over the Patriot Act more so than getting ratty mail. Now there is a violation of privacy, due process, and a gross intrusion by the government.