How to remove your personal data from data broker sites

What are the largest data broker sites? 

The data brokerage industry is vast, with several key players that collect, analyze, and sell personal information. Here are some of the most notable data broker sites: 

Experian: One of the major credit reporting agencies, Experian compiles and analyzes data on individuals’ credit history, financial activities, and demographic information. Businesses use this data for credit scoring, identity verification and and targeted marketing. 

TransUnion: Similar to Experian, TransUnion is a leading credit reporting agency that gathers consumer credit information, including credit scores, payment patterns, and public records. It provides data for risk assessment, identity verification, and marketing optimization. 

Equifax: Another primary credit reporting agency, Equifax collects extensive consumer credit information, including credit scores and payment histories. Its data is used by lenders, insurers, and other financial institutions to assess creditworthiness and manage risk. 

Acxiom: Specializes in data management and analytics, collecting data from public records, surveys, and online activities. It creates detailed consumer profiles for marketing and advertising purposes. 

CoreLogic: Focuses on real estate and property-related information. It provides analytics and specialized services in consumer credit, financial markets, real estate, and regulatory compliance. 

LexisNexis: Collects and sells consumer, business, and legal information. It is known for its extensive database used for identity verification and legal records. 

Oracle Data Cloud: Collects and analyzes consumer behavior data from various sources, including online browsing activities and purchase histories. It uses this data for targeted advertising and marketing campaigns. 

Epsilon: A marketing agency that collects demographic, consumer, and browsing data. It uses this information to create targeted marketing campaigns and track consumers across multiple devices. 

BeenVerified: A people search engine collecting personal information from public records, allowing users to perform searches based on various criteria such as name, phone number and address.

TruthFinder: A people search engine that collects information from public records and social media sites creating detailed reports that can be accessed by users for background checks and more.

Removing your data from BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a people search site that collects data from public records, social media, and other sources. To remove your information from BeenVerified, follow these steps: 

• Visit BeenVerified’s opt-out website and search for your listing by entering your name and state. 

• Find your listing and select the arrow on the right. 

• Enter your email address, then perform the CAPTCHA. 

• You’ll receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Select “Verify opt-out” at the bottom. 

• You’ll be redirected to BeenVerified’s website to see an opt-out confirmation page. 

• Your listing should be removed within 24 hours. You’ll receive a final confirmation to let you know that your opt-out has been completed. 

Removing your data from Acxiom

Acxiom specializes in data management and creates detailed consumer profiles. To remove your information from Acxiom, follow these steps: 

• Go to Acxiom’s official website. Scroll down to the footer and select “Do Not Sell My Personal Information.” 

• Read through the information about the opt-out process and how Acxiom uses your information. 

• Scroll to the bottom, where you’ll find the opt-out form. 

• Complete the form to detail the information that you want to remove from Acxiom’s database. 

• Select “Submit,” then provide a confirmation email. 

• Open your email inbox to view the verification email from Acxiom, and click on the link. 

• Mark the checkbox to confirm “I’m not a robot,” and finally, select “Submit” to complete your opt-out request. It can take up to two weeks for Acxiom to process your request. 

Removing your data from TruthFinder

TruthFinder is a people search site that gathers data from public records and other sources to create detailed reports. To remove your information from TruthFinder, follow these steps: 

• Navigate to TruthFinder’s opt-out page.

• Enter your name, city, and state to search for your listing. 

• Find your listing and click “Remove this record.” 

• Enter your email address and perform the CAPTCHA. 

• Click on the confirmation link sent to your email to complete the opt-out process. 

Removing your data from other data brokers

Several other data brokers also allow for manual opt-outs. Here’s how you can remove your data from some of the most prominent ones: 

• Experian: Visit Experian’s opt-out page to request the removal of your data from certain marketing lists. Note that you cannot opt out of credit profiling. 

• TransUnion: Use TransUnion’s opt-out page to remove your data from marketing lists. 

• CoreLogic: Contact CoreLogic via its opt-out form or by email to request data removal. 

• LexisNexis: Visit LexisNexis’ consumer data access policies page to view and opt out of its data collection. 

• Epsilon: Use Epsilon’s privacy policy opt-out form to stop data collection for marketing purposes. 

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of personal information available to data brokers, thereby enhancing your privacy and security online. 

Data broker removal services 

Removing your personal information from data broker sites can be a complex and time-consuming process. While manual opt-outs are effective, they require considerable effort to keep up with new data entries and the reappearance of your information on various sites. This is where data broker removal services come in handy. 

Data broker removal services are designed to automate the process of finding and removing your personal information from data broker databases. These services regularly scan known databases for your information and submit opt-out requests on your behalf, ensuring a more comprehensive and continuous protection of your privacy. 

Malwarebytes offers a free personal data remover service – we can monitor and remove your personal data and more.

Benefits of using data broker removal services

Time-saving: Manually opting out from data broker sites can take hours of your time. Data broker removal services automate this process, saving you significant time and effort. 

Comprehensive coverage: These services often have extensive lists of data broker sites they monitor. This ensures that your information is removed from a wide range of sources, not just the most well-known ones. 

Continuous monitoring: Data broker removal services provide ongoing monitoring. This means that even if your data reappears on these sites, the service will identify and remove it again, providing continuous protection. 

Expertise: These services are operated by professionals who understand the intricacies of data privacy laws and the specific procedures required by different data brokers. This expertise ensures higher success rates in removing your information. 

How data broker removal services work

Data discovery: The service begins by scanning various data broker databases to identify where your personal information is being held. 

Opt-out requests: Once your information is located, the service submits opt-out requests on your behalf, following the specific procedures required by each data broker. 

Verification: The service often requires verification steps, such as confirming your email address, to complete the opt-out process. 

Ongoing monitoring: After the initial opt-out requests are processed, the service continues to monitor these databases to ensure your information does not reappear. 

How you can protect your privacy online

Protecting your privacy online involves multiple steps and tools to ensure your personal data remains secure. Here are some effective measures you can take: 

1. Use a virtual private network (VPN): 

VPNs provide an encrypted internet connection to hide your activity when you’re online. This prevents third parties, including data brokers, from tracking your online behavior. 

2. Scan for leaked data: 

Use free data exposure scanners to check if any of your personal information has been exposed in data breaches. Use a password manager to save and store unique passwords for all of your accounts. Password managers can help create complex login credentials and update any weak passwords, enhancing your online security.

3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA):

Adds another security layer when logging into your accounts by requiring you enter a code from an authenticator app or SMS, accept a push notification, or plug in hardware, which all reduce the chance of account takeovers. 

4. Take action on data breach notifications: 

Each state in the US has laws governing businesses that own or license computerized data that includes personally identifiable information (PII). Stay informed and act quickly if a service you use suffers a breach. 

5. Scan your devices for malware:

Use reputable security software to detect and isolate malicious programs. Enable anti-track browser extensions for peace of mind when browsing online. 

6. Review mobile app privacy settings and permissions: 

For iOS devices, read the app’s privacy policy to see how your data will be used or shared before you download the app. Review the permissions the app requests when you first download it. 

7. Use burner debit and credit cards: 

Virtual cards are good for one-time purchases or shopping with unfamiliar websites. Lock virtual cards to a specific merchant to minimize credit card fraud risk. 

8. Freeze your credit with all three bureaus: 

If you spot any warning signs of identity theft, contact each of the three credit reporting agencies to initiate a credit freeze. 

9. Remove yourself from direct marketing and telemarketing lists: 

Submit requests with sites like DMAchoice, OptOutPrescreen.com, and the National Do Not Call Registry. 

10. Report unscrupulous data brokers: 

If a data broker is violating privacy rights, submit a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).