Here’s how to keep spam, junk mail, and telemarketers at bay. This intelligence comes from Woman’s World magazine:

First, how can you silence telemarketers?

• #1: List your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Once you’re registered, it’s illegal for telemarketers to call. The registration expires after 5 years. So, most numbers that were listed when registry first opened will expire this year. Congress is working to pass a law to eliminate the expiration date, but until then, you can register – or renew your registration - at “Do Not Call.gov.”
• Another way to avoid telemarketers: STOP filling out warranty cards! Once you send in the card, the company that made the product - and all of their business partners - are allowed to call you. Don’t worry about losing warranty protection on your new gadget. If you hold onto your receipt, they have to honor the warranty.

Want to stop junk mail cold?

• First, to stop receiving pre-approved credit card offers, visit the website “Opt Out Pre Screen.com.” Once you fill out the form, all three major credit agencies are no longer allowed to sell your credit information to any business that issues new credit cards.
• If your mailbox is crammed with catalogs, visit the website “Catalog Choice.org.” They allow you to eliminate the catalogs you don’t want anymore, and still keep the ones you do!

Finally, to avoid spam, try these tips:

• First, delete spam without clicking on it. Many email messages contain a code that confirms a successful delivery as soon as you click on them. Once spammers know they’ve found a working email address, they send more spam.
• Finally, don’t inadvertently sign up for spam! When you buy items online, there’s often a message buried at the bottom of the page saying, “Yes, I want to be contacted by select third parties!” and the box is usually already checked. So, make sure you remove the checkmark before you click “submit."