Search your name online and you may find sites listing your address, phone number, age, relatives and past addresses. These are data brokers and people-search sites, companies that collect information from public records, marketing data and other sources, then sell or display it. That information can fuel spam calls, scams, stalking and identity theft.
Removing yourself is possible, though tedious. This guide explains how data brokers work, how to opt out and when a paid service may make sense. We have not tested any removal service, and we are not affiliated with any.
What Data Brokers Collect
Depending on the company, profiles may include:
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Age and date of birth
- Names of relatives and associates
- Property records
- Court records
- Social media profiles
- Estimated income or interests used for marketing
Some brokers sell data mainly to marketers, while people-search sites show profiles to anyone who searches.
Why Opting Out Matters
Less information online makes it harder for scammers to impersonate you, guess security answers or target you with convincing phishing. It can also reduce unwanted calls and mail. For people concerned about personal safety, removing addresses can be especially important. People facing threats may want to contact local advocacy organizations for safety planning in addition to opt-outs.
How to Find Your Listings
- Search your full name with your city and state in a search engine
- Try variations, including maiden names and nicknames
- Search your phone number and email address
- Note each site that lists you
Keep a simple spreadsheet with the site, profile link, date of opt-out request and status.
How to Opt Out
Most sites have an opt-out or privacy page, often linked in the footer. The process usually involves:
- Finding your profile on the site
- Submitting the profile link through an opt-out form
- Confirming through an email link
- Waiting for the listing to be removed
Protecting Yourself During Opt-Outs
- Consider using a separate email address for opt-out confirmations
- Provide only the information needed to identify your listing
- Be cautious with sites that ask for ID documents; read what they do with them
- Never pay a site claiming to charge for removal unless you have verified it is legitimate
Recheck Regularly
Profiles often reappear as brokers refresh data. Recheck every few months and resubmit requests. Many brokers share data, so removing yourself from larger sources can reduce listings elsewhere.
State Privacy Rights
Several U.S. states have consumer privacy laws that give residents rights to request access to or deletion of personal data from certain businesses. Some states also have data broker registries listing registered brokers. Check your state’s laws and attorney general resources to see what applies to you.
Paid Removal Services
Paid services submit opt-out requests on your behalf and recheck periodically.
| Consideration | DIY | Paid service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Subscription |
| Time | Significant | Low |
| Coverage | What you find | The service’s list |
| Control | Full | You share data with the service |
| Ongoing checks | Manual | Automated |
Before paying, read what sites the service covers, how often it rechecks and its own privacy policy. No service can remove everything, especially public records held by government offices.
Reducing Future Data Collection
- Use privacy settings on social media. See the privacy settings checkup.
- Be selective with loyalty programs and contests
- Use email aliases for sign-ups
- Opt out of prescreened credit offers
- Limit app permissions
Pair with Other Protections
Opt-outs reduce exposure but do not prevent identity theft on their own. Combine them with a credit freeze and two-factor authentication.
Common Mistakes
- Opting out once and never checking again
- Using your main email for confirmations
- Sharing more personal data than necessary
- Expecting removal of government records
A Note on Email Aliases
An email alias is an alternate address that forwards to your main inbox. Several email providers and password managers offer alias features. Using a unique alias for each sign-up makes it easier to see which company shared your address and to shut down an alias that starts receiving spam. Aliases are especially handy for opt-out confirmations.
A Note on Phone Numbers
Your phone number is often the key that links your profiles together. Consider using a secondary number for shopping, loyalty programs and online forms, and keep your main number for close contacts and important accounts. Ask your mobile carrier about account protections.
Final Opt-Out Checklist
- Listings tracked in a spreadsheet
- Separate email used for confirmations
- Requests submitted and confirmed
- Recheck reminder set
- Future sign-ups using aliases
Questions to Ask a Paid Removal Service
- Which sites do you cover, and how is that list maintained?
- How often do you recheck for new listings?
- What personal data do you need from me, and how is it protected?
- Can I cancel easily and have my data deleted?
- Do you provide reports showing what was removed?
Starting Small
Begin with the few people-search sites that appear first when you search your name, since those are the ones most people see.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal for data brokers to list my information?
In many cases, yes, though state laws vary and some give you deletion rights.
How long do opt-outs take?
It varies by site.
Will my information come back?
Often, so recheck periodically.
Are paid removal services worth it?
They save time but cost money and cannot remove everything.
Can I remove public records?
Usually not through data brokers; records held by government offices follow their own rules.
The Bottom Line
Data broker removal takes persistence. Find your listings, opt out carefully, track requests, recheck regularly and limit future data sharing. Decide whether a paid service is worth it based on your time and comfort sharing data.
Editorial note: Lock and Login is independent and reader-supported. This guide is based on research into manufacturer documentation, published specifications and widely accepted best practices; we have not been paid to mention any product. If we add affiliate links in the future, they will be clearly disclosed per our Affiliate Disclosure.