How to use suppression screening to keep customer lists up to date

David Laybourne, technical director at DPS Direct Mail, gives valuable insights into how to keep your mailing list up to date. He recommends using suppression screening to help save on costs, protect your brand and minimise the risks of identity fraud.

The suppression market can be divided into five areas:

Preference files – run by the Direct Marketing Association, these include individuals/organisations registered to not receive unsolicited communications.

Goneaways – movers identified via the Electoral Roll or other verified processes.

Deceaseds – files with details of people recorded as deceased, such as the probate registry.

Returned mail – post that has been returned to the sender.

Tracking files – letting you trace existing customers to their new address.

All of these methods can help you maintain accurate customer mailing data – whether it's an in-house or bought-in list – and to retain good relationships with your client base.