Guide · Last reviewed: October 2026

How to remove your info from people-search and data broker sites

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People-search sites are data brokers that compile public records and other data into reports about you and sell them to anyone. Most let you opt out for free. It takes some patience, and it's never one-and-done, but you can do it yourself.

What opting out does and doesn't do

• It does ask a site to stop showing or selling the listing you submit.
• It doesn't delete your information from public records (courts, property records, and so on). Those stay public.
• It isn't permanent. Your info can reappear when brokers get new data, and it may still show up in relatives' or neighbors' reports.

The FTC explains all of this in What To Know About People Search Sites That Sell Your Information. It's worth a read before you start.

Before you start

1. Make a dedicated email address for opt-out confirmations, so you're not handing brokers your main inbox.
2. Start a simple spreadsheet: site, date requested, listing URL, status, recheck date.
3. Search yourself with variations: maiden or former names, old cities, old phone numbers.
4. Share only what's needed. Some sites ask for ID verification. Think about whether that's worth it, and black out anything not required.

DIY opt-out walkthrough: major sites

Opt-out flows change often. If a link or step doesn't match what you see, search the site's name plus "opt out" and use the official page on that site's own domain.

Others worth checking

There are many more people-search sites, including Intelius, PeopleFinders, MyLife, TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, USPhoneBook and Nuwber. For each one: search for yourself, find the site's own "opt out" or "do not sell" page, and follow its steps. The FTC's guide links to longer broker lists kept by nonprofit and government sources.

Check your state privacy rights

Some states give residents extra rights over their data. If you live in California, for example, see the California Attorney General's CCPA page and the California Privacy Protection Agency. If you live elsewhere, check your state attorney general's website.

Keep it up

Recheck every few months and resubmit if a listing comes back. That upkeep is the main thing paid services sell.

Paid removal services compared

Heads up: some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This doesn't change our rankings. How we make money.

Paid services send opt-out requests for you and usually rescan for re-listings. Here are the questions the FTC suggests asking before you sign up:

• How many sites does it cover, and does it publish the list?
• Does it give you a report of what it removed?
• How often does it rescan and resubmit?

We haven't published hands-on test results yet. Until we do, treat this table as an overview rather than a ranking. Feature descriptions are general. Confirm current features, coverage and pricing on each provider's website. No service can guarantee removal.

DIY or paid?

DIY costs nothing but time, and you control what you share. Paid saves time and handles the rechecking. Plenty of people do both: they handle the big sites themselves, then use a service for the long tail.

If you're dealing with stalking, harassment or domestic violence, safety planning matters more than any opt-out. Talk to a local advocate. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is at thehotline.org.