Can I stop "sync contacts now" notifications?

[BarryII]

Before I pocket my phone I lock the screen but that's not preventing "sync contacts now" notifications from unlocking it. The phone beeps, I take it out, and I see the screen is unlocked and I have a "sync contacts now" notification. I'm not even sure what that means, but if it's telling me to put new email senders in my contacts list, I don't want to and I don't want reminders. Can I stop this? I'm willing to disable email and messaging if necessary. In fact, I'll get a new phone and OS if necessary. It drains the battery and annoys me.