Looking for the Complete List?
For 75+ sites with direct opt-out links in one page, see our Complete People Search Opt-Out Master List.
Your Life Is For Sale
People search sites compile your name, address history, phone numbers, relatives, criminal records, and more into profiles anyone can access. Some charge for the full report. Others give it away free. All of them make removing your data deliberately difficult.
This page links to step-by-step removal guides for the major offenders. Each guide walks you through the exact opt-out process, because every site makes it different on purpose.
Short on time? DataPurge automates legally-backed deletion requests for free — no signup, no data stored.
Before You Start
Use a Throwaway Email
Create a dedicated email address for opt-out requests. Data brokers have been known to add opt-out requesters to new marketing lists. Don't give them your real email.
Track Your Requests
Keep a spreadsheet: site name, date submitted, confirmation number, status. You'll need to re-check in 90 days because your data will probably reappear.
Search for Yourself First
Google your name in quotes with your city. Check the first few pages. You'll find profiles you didn't know existed. Screenshot everything.
Prepare for Verification
Some sites demand ID verification. If required, redact your photo and license number before uploading. Never give them more data than necessary.
Major People Search Sites
These are the big players. They have the most data and the most traffic. Start here.
BeenVerified
One of the largest people search sites. Also owns PeopleLooker and PeopleSmart. Email verification required.
Opt-Out GuideSpokeo
Aggregates social media, public records, and marketing data. One of the easier opt-outs if you follow the steps exactly.
Opt-Out GuideWhitepages
The original phone directory. Now sells premium background checks. Requires phone verification - have a burner number ready.
Opt-Out GuideIntelius Network
Parent company PeopleConnect owns TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, US Search. One opt-out covers the whole network.
Opt-Out GuideRadaris
Property records, court documents, social profiles. Known for making removal difficult. Multi-step verification process.
Opt-Out GuidePeopleFinders
Operating since 1999. Has decades of historical data on millions of Americans. Email verification required.
Opt-Out GuideMyLife
Creates public "reputation scores" for individuals. Notoriously difficult to remove. May require phone calls and persistence.
Opt-Out GuideFastPeopleSearch
Free people search with premium upsells. Very popular, very invasive. Relatively straightforward opt-out process.
Opt-Out GuideAdditional People Search Sites
These sites have smaller audiences but still expose your data. Many scrape from the major sites above, so removing from the big players first often helps.
| Site | Opt-Out Link | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PeekYou | Opt-Out Form | Web form + email | Focuses on social media footprints |
| ThatsThem | Opt-Out Form | Web form | IP addresses, emails, phone numbers |
| TruePeopleSearch | Removal Page | Web form | Free site, high traffic |
| USPhoneBook | Opt-Out Page | Web form | Phone number focused |
| Nuwber | Removal Form | Web form | Requires finding your profile URL first |
| CyberBackgroundChecks | Removal Page | Web form | Criminal records focus |
| CheckPeople | Opt-Out Form | Web form | Owned by BeenVerified parent |
| Addresses.com | Opt-Out Form | Web form | Address history focused |
| PublicRecordsNow | Opt-Out Page | Web form | Court and property records |
| Clustrmaps | Opt-Out Form | Web form | Location mapping service |
Corporate Data Brokers
These companies sell your data to businesses, not consumers directly. They're harder to find but equally important to address.
| Broker | Opt-Out Link | What They Collect |
|---|---|---|
| Acxiom | Consumer Opt-Out | Marketing data, consumer profiles, purchase history |
| Epsilon | Data Subject Request | Marketing lists, email databases, demographic profiles |
| Oracle Data Cloud | Privacy Choices | Online behavior, advertising profiles, third-party data |
| LexisNexis | Opt-Out Portal | Public records, identity verification data |
| CoreLogic | Privacy Policy (CCPA link) | Property records, real estate data, rental history |
Credit Bureau Marketing Opt-Outs
The three major credit bureaus sell your data for marketing purposes separately from credit reporting.
OptOutPrescreen.com
OptOutPrescreen.com is the official site to stop pre-approved credit card offers from Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, and Innovis. You can opt out online for 5 years or permanently by mail.
This is one of the few opt-outs that's legally binding - the credit bureaus are required to honor it.
California Residents: The Delete Act
If you live in California, you have stronger legal protections than residents of other states.
- CCPA Rights: You can demand any business tell you what data they have on you, delete it, and stop selling it
- Data Broker Registry: California maintains a public registry of data brokers operating in the state
- DROP Platform (2026): Starting in 2026, California's Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform will let you submit one request to ALL registered data brokers simultaneously
Until DROP launches, you're stuck with the manual process. But you can cite CCPA in your removal requests for additional legal weight.
Paid Removal Services
If manual removal feels overwhelming, paid services automate the process. But research from Consumer Reports found many are "largely ineffective." The top performers:
Optery
68% success rate in Consumer Reports testing. Free tier available for DIY with step-by-step guides.
Incogni
180+ data brokers covered. Automated CCPA/GDPR requests. Budget-friendly at $7.49/month.
DeleteMe
Mid-level performer. Uses human agents plus automation. More expensive but comprehensive reports.
Manual DIY
70% removal rate in first week. Free but time-intensive. Outperformed paid services initially.
See our comprehensive data broker opt-out guide for detailed service comparisons.
The Endless Game
Your data will come back. People search sites continuously scrape public records, buy data from other brokers, and rebuild profiles. An opt-out today doesn't prevent them from creating a new profile tomorrow.
This is by design. The industry profits from your data being accessible. Every barrier they put in your way - phone verification, ID uploads, 72-hour delays, buried opt-out links - is intentional friction to discourage removal.
Your strategy:
- Start with the major sites (BeenVerified, Spokeo, Whitepages, Intelius)
- Work through the secondary list over time
- Set a calendar reminder to re-check every 90 days
- Consider a removal service if manual effort becomes unsustainable
You won't win this game permanently. But you can make your data harder to find than the next person's - and that's often enough.
Related Reading
- Complete People Search Master List (75+ Sites) - Every opt-out link in one place
- Comprehensive Data Broker Opt-Out Guide - Legal rights, service comparisons, and detailed strategies
- BackgroundAlert: The People Search Site California Shut Down - How enforcement action works
- Location Data Brokers: The $278B Industry Tracking You - A different kind of data broker
- OSINT Self-Defense - What strangers can find about you