Remove Your Personal Information from People Finder Sites

Most of us Google ourselves every now and then to see what comes up. You’ll probably see your social media profiles, maybe a personal website if you have one, or other people who have the same name as you. Looking yourself up can be fun — until you notice one of those people search websites has a lot of information about you.

When your name, address, phone number, place of employment, date of birth, or other personally identifiable details are found on these data broker sites, it can lead hackers and cybercriminals right to you. 

This information makes you vulnerable to identity theft, targeted scams, stalking, and even doxxing (where someone maliciously publishes your private information online).

Fortunately, you can remove yourself from people-finder sites if you don’t want your information to be public. 

This article will guide you through understanding what these sites are, how they get your information, and most importantly, the specific steps you can take to get your personal data removed from them.

What Are People Search Websites?

People search sites are data brokers. They are websites that collect and sell personal information about individuals. These sites, also known as people finder websites or people look up sites, operate by creating searchable databases of personal information that anyone can access—often presenting this data as “background checks” or “public records searches.”

These data brokers function as middlemen in the information economy. They gather data from multiple sources, organize it into individual profiles, and then make it available either for free or for a fee. Their business model revolves around commodifying personal information, treating your private details as products to be bought and sold.

Types of People Search Sites

People search sites come in several varieties:

• Free sites: Some data broker sites are free to use, such as Whitepages.com, FastPeopleSearch, or FamilyTreeNow. These sites typically display basic information at no cost while reserving more detailed reports for paying customers.
• Paid subscription services: Sites like BeenVerified, TruthFinder, and Instant Checkmate require users to pay a fee or subscription to access their databases.
• Freemium models: Many sites like Spokeo and PeekYou use a hybrid approach, showing limited information for free but requiring payment for full access to records.

What Information Do People Search Websites Collect

Depending on where they get their information, people search sites could have any of the following about you:

• Name and aliases
• Current and past addresses
• Date of birth and age
• Gender and marital status
• Family members (and their names)
• Social media profiles
• Education and employment history
• Property and financial records
• Phone numbers
• Criminal and court records
• Vehicle registrations and professional licenses
• Voter registration details

Before you ask, yes, these people search sites are legal. Data brokers aren’t heavily regulated in the United States, so they can both collect and sell your information as long as it’s publicly available, or if you agree to share your info through privacy policies or terms of service.

How Do People Search Sites Get Your Information?

People search sites use a variety of methods to build comprehensive profiles about individuals, often without their knowledge or explicit consent.

Public Records

They compile information from government records, including property tax assessments, marriage/divorce records, voter registrations, professional licenses, court records, and business filings.

Social Media Scraping

Many people search sites use automated tools to scan and extract information from social media profiles, professional networking sites, personal blogs, online forums, and review sites.

Data Broker Exchanges

They buy, sell, and exchange personal data with other data brokers, creating a complex web of information sharing that’s difficult to track.

Third-Party Agreements and Privacy Policies

When you sign up for online accounts and agree to privacy policies, you’re often agreeing to have your information shared with “third parties” – often data brokers. This can happen with retail loyalty programs, online shopping accounts, free apps, sweepstakes entries, and newsletter subscriptions.

User-Contributed Information

Sometimes information comes directly from users of these sites, family tree enthusiasts, former classmates adding you to alumni directories, or individuals creating profiles about others they know.

Preparation and Finding Your Information Online

Before you attempt to remove information from people search websites, prepare by creating a disposable email address just for opt-out requests to avoid exposing your main email. Remember that this is an ongoing process, as your information may reappear on sites you’ve previously opted out from.

To find where your information appears:

1. Search yourself: Search your full name in quotation marks, plus variations with middle initials or maiden names.
2. Search your phone number and addresses: These can lead to profiles and records.
3. Use private browsing: This prevents personalized search results.
4. Try different search engines: Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo may show different results.
5. Access the What Is My IP Address Personal Data Scan for free here. 

Major People Search Websites to Check First

While there are hundreds of people search sites, starting with the most popular ones will help you make significant progress quickly:

• Whitepages.com
• Spokeo
• BeenVerified
• Intelius/PeopleConnect sites (includes Instant Checkmate, TruthFinder, US Search)
• MyLife
• FastPeopleSearch

When identifying your profiles, use the site’s filters, look for clusters of accurate information, check for associated people you know, and verify with unique identifiers like uncommon previous addresses.

The Removal Process: Step-by-Step

The general opt-out process follows this pattern:

1. Find your information on the site
2. Locate the opt-out page (usually linked at the bottom of the site)
3. Submit your removal request (typically providing your profile URL and verifying your identity)
4. Confirm your request via email
5. Verify removal after 2-4 weeks

Key Site-Specific Instructions

Whitepages

1. Search for your name and copy your profile URL
2. Go to Whitepages Opt-Out
3. Follow prompts and verify via phone
4. Removal typically takes 24-72 hours

Spokeo

1. Find your listing and copy the URL
2. Visit Spokeo’s Opt Out page
3. Submit the form with your disposable email
4. Click the confirmation link you receive
5. Removal takes about 48 hours

PeopleConnect Sites (Intelius, Instant Checkmate, TruthFinder, US Search)

1. Visit the PeopleConnect Suppression Center
2. Click “Get Started” under “Control Your Information”
3. Follow the process to remove your data from all their sites at once

MyLife

• Call 1-888-704-1900 to request removal, or
• Use MyLife’s Removal page to submit a request form

Automated Removal Services

If the manual process seems overwhelming, several services can help automate removal. Free resources include Privacy Bee’s Opt-Out Links, Consumer Reports’ Permission Slip, and DeleteMe’s DIY Guide.

Companies like Data Seal will provide a free identity risk report when you get started. They offer individual, family, and business protection plans removing your information from the internet and alerting you of any critical threats to your safety.

Prevention Strategies and Ongoing Privacy

To maintain your privacy long-term:

• Adjust social media settings: Set accounts to private, limit profile information, disable location tagging, and regularly review connected apps.
• Limit information sharing: Use P.O. boxes or virtual addresses, get a Google Voice number, create separate email addresses for different purposes, and avoid oversharing in forums and reviews.
• Delete old accounts: Regularly audit and remove unused online accounts and profiles.
• Recheck periodically: Set calendar reminders to search for yourself on major sites every few months, especially after major life events like moving or changing jobs.
• Monitor for breaches: Use services like Have I Been Pwned to get notified of data breaches involving your information.

High-risk individuals with stalking or harassment concerns should consider additional measures like state address confidentiality programs or professional privacy services.

Taking Back Control of Your Online Privacy

Now that you know how these sites get a hold of your information and how you can get it taken down, there’s nothing stopping you from reclaiming your privacy. While the process requires some effort, it’s a worthwhile investment in your safety and peace of mind.

Taking action now can save you significant headaches in the future. Start by checking just one or two major data broker sites today, then work through the rest systematically. After all, the best way to combat data brokers is to simply not share as much personal information online.

Your online privacy is worth protecting—and it’s within your power to do so. Access the What Is My IP Address Personal Data Scan for free here.

For more tips, you can read about seven ways to shore up your social media privacy.