I just took a step that I hope will reduce the amount of junk mail I receive as well as the risk of identity theft; I have filled out a request to stop receiving credit card and mortgage offers by mail.

According to an article published in the Washington Post on Saturday, "any consumer can cut off all potential prescreened credit solicitations -- whether for mortgages or credit cards -- by opting out. That means prohibiting the credit bureaus from ever selling your personal information to lenders for marketing campaigns.

"You can do that by visiting http://www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-567-8688. Your request, according to the FTC, should be processed within five days, although it may take 60 days before all prescreened offers cease.

"Mortgage applicants can also block trigger-list telemarketing pitches by making sure their phone numbers are on the National Do Not Call Registry ( http://www.donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222)."

Let's hope this works.