TL;DR: Data brokers compile and sell your personal information — name, address, phone number, relatives, and more — often pulled from public records, and many people don't realize how much of their information is listed online until they check.
How to Remove Your Info From Data Broker Sites (US) — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Understand what data brokers do
Data brokers compile and sell your personal information — name, address, phone number, relatives, and more — often pulled from public records, and many people don't realize how much of their information is listed online until they check.
Step 2: Identify which brokers list your information
Search your name alongside your city on a search engine, or use a dedicated opt-out or exposure-checking tool, to find which broker sites currently have your profile listed.
Step 3: Submit opt-out requests to each site individually
Most data broker sites have an opt-out or 'do not sell my info' page — each one requires a separate request, and the process (identity verification, wait times) varies site by site.
Step 4: Opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers
Use OptOutPrescreen.com, the official industry site, to stop having your information used for prescreened credit and insurance offers, which is one of the largest sources feeding data brokers.
Step 5: Repeat the process periodically
Data broker listings tend to reappear over time as information is re-scraped and re-sold, so plan to check and re-submit opt-out requests every few months for ongoing protection.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Report a Fake Job Offer.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Report a Scam to Action Fraud UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Understand what data brokers do
Data brokers compile and sell your personal information — name, address, phone number, relatives, and more — often pulled from public records, and many people don't realize how much of their information is listed online until they check.
Step 2: Identify which brokers list your information
Search your name alongside your city on a search engine, or use a dedicated opt-out or exposure-checking tool, to find which broker sites currently have your profile listed.
Step 3: Submit opt-out requests to each site individually
Most data broker sites have an opt-out or 'do not sell my info' page — each one requires a separate request, and the process (identity verification, wait times) varies site by site.
Step 4: Opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers
Use OptOutPrescreen.com, the official industry site, to stop having your information used for prescreened credit and insurance offers, which is one of the largest sources feeding data brokers.
Step 5: Repeat the process periodically
Data broker listings tend to reappear over time as information is re-scraped and re-sold, so plan to check and re-submit opt-out requests every few months for ongoing protection.