There is a more effective way of dealing with these items, put them back in the letter box marked RETURN TO SENDER. For 16 years we, (www.veri-data.co.uk ) have been processing returned and undelivered mail for financial services and others. For each company we open and scan the relevant information required and return it to them on a weekly basis so that they can supress their databases, so they do not mail that person/address again.

We then recycle all the waste paper, for 80% of the carbon footprint of a direct mail piece is in the end of life solution. Our service also helps to reduce the opportunity for identity fraud and protects the brand image by not ‘irritating’ people by sending them material they do not want. Sadly not all mailers use a service like ours and in many large companies and charities there is a reluctance to engage with this matter. Nobody wants responsibility for what is perceived as irksome problem, notwithstanding it can save them money and cut their carbon footprint. (20gms of CO2 are generated by a piece of direct mail)

Like it or not Direct Mail works and a great many people are stimulated to buy, even if it only drives them to a web site. I also wonder how many people who complain about this issue would actually miss it.  For as Auden noted, ‘And none will hear the postman’s knock Without a quickening of the heart. For who can bear to feel himself forgot.’ or am I the only one who feels slightly miffed when the postman passes by and there is no mail?

NB Companies that dropped direct mail in 2009 are going back because they saw a drop in orders of up to 25% Wall Street Journal article 2011

Recyclers Face Junk Mail Fraud Risk

140,000 householders fall victim to identity fraud each year

Do you just put your junk mail into the recycling without even opening it or shredding it? Then you are among the 80% of the population who are putting themselves at risk of identity theft.

Every year we are bombarded by a staggering 15 billion pieces of junk mail, equal to 626 unsolicited letters per British household, but the consequences are more than just to the environment.

Those of us who admit to recycling our junk mail without even taking it out of the envelope are putting ourselves at high risk of fraud. All an opportunistic thief needs to cash in on our identities is a name and address.

Over a lifetime we will each throw 49,000 letters away unread – effectively giving fraudsters 49,000 opportunities to steal our identities, according to a shocking poll by CPP.

A staggering 140,000 householders fall victim to identity fraud every year and 13% of us are caught out due to stolen mail.

But the statistics reveal we are most at risk when moving house. 16% of us fail to tell people when we move, with a quarter of us getting so wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of changing homes we forget to tell banks, utility companies and the DVLA for at least 2 weeks.

Four out of 10 movers won’t bother to inform catalogue companies when they change address and 8% forget to tell their local council, risking personal information being sent to the wrong door. With the average person now moving 16 times in their lives most of us are leaving a clear paper trail for thieves to follow.

But despite previous address fraud being the most common method of identity theft, accounting for 42% of cases, almost a third of us naively rely on the new occupants of our old homes to forward our mail on to us. But shockingly less than half of new owners bother to send on any correspondence at all.

A spokesman from CPP said: “The results from this survey are terrifying – people don’t realise that by dropping 49,000 letters in the bin, they are effectively giving fraudsters 49,000 opportunities to steal their identity.”

Published by: http://www.reducereuserecycle.co.uk/greenarticles/recyclers_face_junk_mail_fraud_risk.php

Reduce Reuse Recycle
- Your Green Guide

Reduce Reuse Recycle
- Your Green Guide

It was originally designed to capture name and address information and to reduce the capture cost.  It includes full name and address information but its range has been expanded to include streamlining back office functions.

For example, including updating customer databases, validating the postal addresses, segmenting documents based on their commercial value and speeding up the process of collecting survey information.

Benefits

•          Reduced CRM mailing costs by 5%

•          Response rates increased by 8%

•          Data integrity enhanced

•          Helps to mitigate identity fraud

•          Achieved immediate and tangible cash savings with CodEffect

•          Reduces data collection cost

•          Enhances data base  management

•          Automates suppression process

•          Integrates mailing process with business process to improve cycle times and reduce cost

•          Minimises barcode size

For more information and power pint presentation please contact Tim Craig tim.craig@veri-data.co.uk

PS included in our service is the safe destruction and recycling of all waste paper helping to cut your carbon footprint

SAVE MONEY PROTECT BRAND IMAGE CUT THE RISK OF IDENTITY FRAUD

Returned  gone way  mail (catalogues) represent a waste of money.  If you have 100,000 Return mail items per annum and your average mail pack is 50p, you have wasted £50,000 which could have been put to better use in reaching customers and prospects. Conversely, if you are over-suppressing your mailings due to inaccurate Returns information, you could be losing out on revenue opportunities.

Veridata are licensed by Arbutus Ridgeto use a proprietary 2d bar-coding system CodEffect. As a company we provide a specialist, automated and quick turn around service for processing returned and undelivered mail.  As such, Royal Mail supports Veridata in the delivery of Returned and gone away mail Management solutions.

What is CodEffect?

CodEffect identifies the recipient of undelivered mail. It encapsulates a mailer ID, campaign code, customer URN or other customer related data along with the complete customer name and address information into a two dimensional (2D) barcode. All data is encoded in order to minimise the barcode’s size.

This means that large amounts of data can be securely encrypted, including data that doesn’t appear in the text of the mailing item and enables large amounts of data to be captured cheaply and accurately.

The 2D barcodes are small and discreet and printed to be visible through the window of each envelope. After a letter is returned, Veridata scans the unopened envelope and decodes the barcode to obtain the required information/name and address of the intended recipient and to identify the mailer who originated the piece. This allows Veridata to create a list of undeliverable names and addresses for the mailer.

The barcodes are printed using industry-accepted DataMatrix standards.

The principal users of CodEffect are printers of bulk mailings who are looking for a cost-effective returns handling solution and a straightforward way of integrating returns handling into their systems.

CodEffect has 2 distinct elements – simple data capture from returns and data verification/enhancement. These are 2 distinct and separate services, designed so that users can ‘buy-in’ to both services, however this is not mandatory.

As far as the “core” data capture service is concerned, the pricing model is simply based on the number of scans performed – the amount of data captured is irrelevant as the amount of work is the same. One of the key selling points of a CodEffect capture solution is a fixed charge, regardless of the amount of data captured.

It can carry a considerable amount and variety of alphanumeric data such as – amount, payee, account information, personal identification information, or customer references; however valuable marketing data could also be added giving detailed information on geographic/demographic success rates of campaigns.

For more information Call Tim Craig 0n 01925 242360

PS We recycle all waste paper/catalogues  helping the environment and you to lower your carbon footprint.

PPS Catalogues can be saved for reuse if required

With 5.4 billion items of direct mail sent out yearly direct marketers have an ideal opportunity to make a major impact because every tonne of recycled paper saves approximately 17 trees and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. The public’s perception is important and organisations such as charities, and companies sending out large amounts of Direct Mail and/or catalogues i.e. the mail order sector should take note that consumers and the media do not like brands that do business while ignoring the environmental impact.

Adopting PAS 2020 best practices makes environmental and economic sense.  Furthermore, cost savings can be made through Royal Mail as they offer postal services at a discounted rate to companies that can prove that they are compliant with PAS 2020, this can save up to 4.7 per cent off the standard mail tariff.

Veridata  helps to meet  corporate social responsibility by processing returned, undelivered and goneway mail, which saves companies considerable amounts of  money. Additional huge savings on returned mail handling can be made by using CodEffect 2d barcode call us to find out more on 44 (0)1925 242360

And none will hear the postman’s knock

Without a quickening of the heart.

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?    W.H. Auden

It’s a curious contradiction that so many people publicly condemn Direct Mail more often referred to as ‘Junk Mail’ and yet as sales medium it is so successful.

On questioning friends and colleagues and even a straw poll in the pub, it seems to me that there are few of us who have not at one time or another bought something in response to a piece of direct mail, I know I have.

Invariably these days on receipt of something that captures my attention I will immediately go on line to check it out and if satisfied with the price make the purchase. The Direct Mail Piece has achieved its purpose, the sale has been made.

Did you know?……

• In the retail sector more than £102 billion in sales are attributed to direct marketing
• Fewer people trash unsolicited direct mail when compared to email, 31% to 53% respectively
• 73% of respondents said they prefer receiving new product announcements by mail, versus 18% for email
• Direct Mail – UK companies spend £43.3 billion on direct marketing activities every year
• Nearly £17 billion is earned by workers employed within the Direct Mail industry
• More than 1.1 million UK workers are employed by or are indirectly connected with the direct marketing industry.

At Veridata the cost of our returned and undelivered data capture service includes the secure destruction and recycling of all waste paper generated.

This helps our customers to cut their carbon footprint, mitigates the opportunity for fraud, protects brand image, increases their campaign performance and helps them comply with BSI Standard PAS2020.

It also saves them a shed load of money……

One of the loudest objections voiced against Direct Mail is the amount of waste paper it produces and therefore the perceived damage to the environment. This a concern to the industry and individual brands but cynically I believe only in so much as it affects their brand image. Despite the economic times, consumers and the media are still being tough on brands/government departments that do business while ignoring the environmental impact.

It is a legitimate concern even if the total amount of waste generated is a relatively small percentage because 80% of the carbon footprint for a piece of mail is in this ‘end of life’ solution. Mail/catalogues at one time they were just dumped into landfill. However EU Directives have put a total embargo by 2015 of this waste going into landfill. This has focussed the minds of business as there is a corporate social and environmental responsibility for the ‘end of life’ solution of any large mailings all waste paper generated is now disposed of properly. Or so we are lead to believe.

Too many companies that send out large quantities of mail/catalogues do not address this issue of corporate social producer responsibility for the ‘end of life’ solution for their undelivered and returned mail.

A contributor to CO2 waste in the UK is, Returned, unwanted and undelivered mail its produces vast amounts of waste paper and 80% of the carbon footprint for a piece of mail is in the ‘end of life’ solution. The DMA’s BSI Standard PAS2020, the Royal Mail’s Sustainable Mail, TNT’s Greenpost and the new EU directives on landfill are going some way to address the issue of ‘producer responsibility’ that all waste paper generated is disposed of acceptably.

Veridata provides a specialist and automated quick turn around service for processing Returned and Undelivered Mail.

It saves money not mailing the same customers again, helps mitigate the opportunities for identity fraud and it is friendly to the environment as all waste is recycled thus reducing carbon footprint.

See article by

Are British Businesses Thinking About Green Issues Enough?

Written by Ben Thornhill

Friday, 16 July 2010 13:27

http://www.tchc.net/blog/38-business-operations/226-are-british-businesses-thinking-enough-about-green-issues

1. We had four days in St Agnes Cornwall staying with Kirsty’s (my wife) sister and what a week for weather. We love Cornwall, we have been going there four or five times a year for 20 years and we particularly love the north coast winter or summer the walking and beaches are spectacular and if you like surfing the place to be. I find the rhythm of the sea spiritually healing and we although it was only a short break it’s good to switch off. http://www.porthvean.com/
2. We are undergoing a strategic review of our business and the need to up the security to meet the scrutiny of compliance departments of major financial institutions.
3. Last year was terrible for so many SMEs financial services mailings dropped by 80% and then we had the mail strikes.
4. Keeping pace with the shear volume of information and social media is onerous but it’s here and it’s a part of the future embrace it or die. Check out check out http://www.slideshare.net/mzkagan/what-the-fk-is-social-media-one-year-later. the numbers confound.
5. Reviewing our web site we are always looking to improve ways of engaging with customers present and new your feedback is important. As a service company we want to give you the best service we can and we are here to tailor our service to meet your needs. Direct Mail will be around for a few years yet and we can:
   • make yours more efficient
   • targeted
   • save you money, (we know we can)
   • help enhance your brand image
   • mitigate opportunities for identity fraud
   • and cut your carbon footprint

You I am sure would like to make more money/cut costs we are in business to make a profit we can both benefit from talking.

PS Ask us about the huge savings and efficiencies to be made from using CodEffect 2d Bar Code

By using our Returned and Undelivered mail (and catalogues) service you can can help cut that cost, save your company money, protect your brand and send out positive green mess age to all your customers.

I hate waste and I see it all the time, piles of ‘junk’  direct mail,  duplicate letters to myself and then again to my wife it’s poorly  badly targetted mail.

I have nothing against Direct Mail I have been prompted to buy goods from Direct Mail but there is an iniquitous amount of waste through sloppy targeting and duplication and it does piss people off.

It’s not rocket science and we have been doing it for fourteen years so we know our service can reduce this waste and we can prove how we do it (and  by using CodEffect we can reduce that even further), and we recycle all the waste paper.

Few businesses monitor the amount of mail they send out, or the cost of returned mail or the potential damage to their company or brand and for every piece of poorly targeted business mail returned to sender, a staggering 20 are thrown away.

People throw away 59 percent of the mail they receive for previous employees.

Direct Mail Landfill costs £40 a ton.

Facts like these are are everywhere but when I read,

‘We’re the last billionth of a second in the evolution of matter’. DeLillio

I think I really should get a life.

This subject applies to all companies/businesses/organisation operating in the UK and I raise it wearing my fraud prevention hat, for further information about protecting yourself against fraud please see www.northwestfraudforum.co.uk or your own regional fraud forum

On the subject of Insider Fraud there is always a possibility when recruiting either permanent or temporary staff through an agency that the correct procedure/checks have not been carried out by the agency.

The recruitment industry has its fair share of cowboy agencies who to cut costs and do not even carry out even the most basic checks. Where this happens how can you be sure the person who turns up on you premises is even eligible to work in the UK, or is the person the agency said they have sent?

My wife’s company had a recent case in Liverpool where a large national agency were supplying temps for a major call centre. It transpired that five of the people that had been put forward to the client and who were accepted on face value, were part of a criminal ring who were expropriating customer bank details etc and selling them off. It subsequently transpired that these people had not even had their eligibility to work in the UK checked.

Preventing insider fraud starts by ensuring you know who is working on your premises and I would urge all companies/organisations that use agencies to do a thorough check on the agency, make a visit to their premises and demand to see their processes. These checks must include:

1. Identity check either a) Passport; or b) Drivers licence AND birth Certificate
2. NI Number
3. Proof of address with recent utility bill/bank statement
4. References
5. Eligibility to work in the UK where in necessary must be checked

Victims of Fraud

SMEs who have been victims of e-crime should contact Action Fraud

(www.actionfraud.org.uk). Action Fraud is at the heart of National Fraud Authority’s

strategy to make the UK a more hostile environment for fraud and encourages

small businesses and individuals who have been defrauded to come forward, call

Action Fraud and report the crime 0300 123 2040

TEAM http://www.jobsatteam.com/ is the largest network of independent recruiters in the UK and offers a unique range of services: Over 350 membership locations across the UK providing a Total Recruitment Service to clients and candidates both locally and nationally across a wide range of disciplines

The views/opinions expressed on this website are entirely my own