What to do with stuff
An item reused or recycled is one less item in the trash. Go to Recyclepower.org for places in Douglas County to recycle.
Other options for disposing of items:
- sell it yourself
- have someone else sell it for you
- donate it to a charity
- recycle it
- give it away or dump it
List phone number on the Do Not Call Registry
You can register your phone number (including your cell phone number) for free; it will remain on the national do-not-call list for five years. Phone numbers can be removed from the list at any time.
The Do-Not-Call registry does not prevent all unwanted calls. It does not cover:
- calls from organizations with which you have established a business relationship
- calls for which you have given prior written permission
- calls which are not commercial or do not include unsolicited advertisements
- calls by or on behalf of tax-exempt non-profit organizations
To register by phone call 1-888-392-1222. For TTY, call 1-866-290-4236. You must call from the phone you wish to register. You may also register by Internet – www.donotcall.gov.
Remove name from mailing lists
Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by writing and ask your name be eliminated from mailing lists. Be sure to include the following information:
- Full name and any variation that may be used
- The date
- Mailing address
- Signature
- The following statement: “Please remove my name and address from your mailing list”
Register for the Mail Preference Service by mail. Send a letter plus a $2 check or money order to:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512Register Online at DMAchoice.org
When you register, your name and address are placed in a "do not mail" file which is updated monthly. DMA members are required to update their lists at least quarterly, and some do it monthly. Businesses who are not members of the DMA may also take advantage of this "do not mail" list, so registering with the DMA will reduce mail.
Register online. You may also sign up online at the DMA's website. There is no fee for online registration.
Stop receiving credit card offers
To stop receiving credit card offers in the mail: Call 888-5 OPT OUT (1-888-567-8688)
One call reaches these credit agencies: Equifax, Trans Union, Experian, and Innovis
Reduce unwanted catalog mailings
To stop receiving unwanted catalog mailings:
Send full name, including middle initial, and your current address to:
Abacus
P.O. Box 1478
Broomfield, CO 80038
Or e-mail your information to:
optout@abacus-direct.com
Or call and say "Please remove my name from any and all mailing lists."
Receive free annual credit report
Go to:
- www.annualcreditreport.com
- Or call 1-877-322-8228
Report Identity Theft
To report Identity Theft:
Call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID THEFT (1-877-438-4338)
Or write them at:
ID Theft Clearinghouse, FTC
600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20580
Or access their website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Or Call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271
Or access their website at www.ssa.gov
Call each of the three credit bureaus listed below and request a “fraud alert” be placed on your account.
Credit Bureau |
To obtain a Credit Report |
To Report Fraud |
Equifax |
Call: 1-800-685-1111 |
Call: 1-800-525-6285 |
Experian |
Call: 1-888-EXPERIAN |
Call: 1-888-397-3742 |
TransUnion |
Call: 1-800-916-8800 |
Call: 1-800-680-7289 |
Documents to be shredded or burned
- Junk mail and old papers that list your social security number, birth date, signature, account numbers, passwords or PINS.
- Deposit slips and ATM and credit card receipts immediately after you get your monthly statements. Shred old ID cards such as expired ID’s, insurance cards and passports.
- Paycheck stubs at the end of the year after you have received your W-2 or other tax forms.
- Monthly retirement and investment statements after you get the annual statement for the year.
- DO NOT ever dispose original Social Security cards, birth certificates, mortgage paperwork, deeds or wills.
Keeping Guidelines
*The listings below are recommendations only. Always confirm with your tax consultant or legal advisor before destroying documents.
Go to www.IRS.gov for more information.
Type of Record |
Length of time to keep |
Tax Returns / Records for tax deductions taken / Canceled checks / receipts |
Seven Years |
IRA Contributions |
Permanently |
Retirement / savings plan statements |
From one year to permanently |
Bank Records |
From one year to permanently |
Brokerage Statements |
Until you sell the securities |
Bills |
From one year to permanently |
Credit card receipts and statements |
From 45 days to seven years |
Paycheck Stubs |
One year |
House Records |
From six years to permanently |
Are permanent records really kept forever?
Not always. Permanent records are permanent only for the person or asset concerned, but may not be relevant after the person or asset has expired. In some cases, permanent records for a person may be kept with family heirs forever. Permanent records for an asset are filed with taxes when sold or passed to a new owner. When the asset eventually expires, in practice, the file should be removed to check warranty information, replacement costs, or to make an insurance claim in the case of damage or theft.