What You Need to Know
- Time required: 10-15 minutes
- Cost: Free
- Processing time: Within 24 hours
- Verification method: Automated phone call (not email)
- Re-check in: 90 days (data regularly reappears)
Phone Verification Required
Unlike most people search sites that use email verification, Whitepages requires phone verification. You'll receive an automated call and must enter a verification code. The call comes quickly - have your phone ready and answer immediately.
If you miss the call or enter the wrong code, you'll have to restart the entire process.
What Whitepages Knows About You
Whitepages started as a digital phone directory but evolved into a comprehensive people search engine. They now sell premium background checks and detailed personal reports. Your profile might include:
- Contact information: Phone numbers (landline and mobile), addresses
- Location history: Current and past addresses, sometimes spanning decades
- Family connections: Names of relatives and household members
- Age and demographics: Date of birth, estimated age ranges
- Property records: Home ownership, property values
- Background data: Criminal records, court filings (premium features)
Whitepages aggregates this from public records, voter registration, property transactions, and other data brokers.
Step-by-Step Opt-Out Process
Step 1: Find Your Profile
- Go to Whitepages.com
- Enter your first name, last name, and city, state, or ZIP code
- Click Search
- Find your listing in the results and click "View Details"
Review the profile to confirm it's actually you - check the address, age, and relatives listed.
Step 2: Copy Your Profile URL
From your profile page, copy the full URL from your browser's address bar. It will look something like:
https://www.whitepages.com/name/John-Smith/Los-Angeles-CA/abc123def
You'll need this URL for the opt-out form.
Step 3: Go to the Suppression Request Page
Navigate to the Whitepages opt-out page:
https://www.whitepages.com/suppression-requests
Step 4: Paste Your Profile URL
- Paste your profile URL in the field provided
- Click "Next"
Step 5: Verify Your Information
Whitepages will display the profile information associated with that URL. Confirm that your name and address match, then click "Remove Me".
Step 6: Select a Reason
- Choose a removal reason from the dropdown menu
- Optionally add comments explaining why you want removal
- Click "Next"
Step 7: Phone Verification
This is the critical step that differs from other people search sites:
- Enter your phone number
- Check the affirmation box
- Click "Call Now to Verify"
- A 4-digit verification code will appear on your screen
- Answer the incoming call immediately
- When prompted by the automated voice, enter the 4-digit code using your phone's keypad
Be Ready for the Call
The verification call comes within seconds. Have your phone in hand and ready to answer. If you:
- Miss the call
- Enter the wrong number
- Enter the wrong verification code
You'll have to start over from the beginning.
Step 8: Confirmation
After successful verification, the automated message will confirm your opt-out request was accepted. Your listing should be removed within 24 hours.
Using a Burner Phone Number
If you don't want to give Whitepages your real phone number (reasonable, given they're a data broker), you can use:
- Google Voice: Free phone number, receives calls
- Burner app: Temporary phone numbers
- TextNow: Free phone number with calling capability
The number just needs to be able to receive voice calls - SMS-only numbers won't work.
Multiple Profiles
If you found several listings (common if you've lived in multiple states), you'll need to submit a separate opt-out request for each profile. There's no bulk removal option through the web form.
For bulk removal, contact Whitepages support directly.
Alternative Methods
By Email
If the web form doesn't work, email [email protected] with:
- Subject: "Data Removal Request"
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Current and previous addresses
- URL(s) of your Whitepages profile(s)
- Clear statement: "Please remove all my personal information from Whitepages"
California Residents: CCPA Request
California residents can add legal weight to their request:
"Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.105, I am exercising my right to deletion. Please delete all personal information you have collected about me and confirm deletion within 45 days as required by law."
Your Data Will Return
Whitepages regularly updates its database from public records and other sources. Your information can and likely will reappear after you opt out.
Set a calendar reminder: Re-check Whitepages every 90 days. If your profile reappears, you'll need to go through the opt-out process again.
There's no way to permanently prevent Whitepages from re-collecting your information from public sources.
What This Opt-Out Covers
Removing your profile from Whitepages only affects Whitepages.com. It does NOT remove you from:
- Other people search sites (Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius, etc.)
- The underlying public records Whitepages scraped
- Whitepages Premium (their paid background check service - same process applies)
For comprehensive protection, you'll need to opt out of multiple sites. See our People Search Opt-Out Index.
Troubleshooting
Can't Find Your Profile
- Try different name variations (maiden name, nicknames)
- Search previous cities/states you've lived in
- Try searching by phone number instead of name
Verification Call Didn't Come
- Make sure you entered the correct phone number
- Check that your phone isn't blocking unknown callers
- Disable call screening features temporarily
- Try again with a different phone number
Entered Wrong Verification Code
You'll need to restart the entire process from Step 1. There's no "try again" option for the verification call.
Profile Still Visible After 24 Hours
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
- Check from an incognito/private browser window
- Try from a different device
- Email [email protected] with details