Data-mining companies like the ones listed below collected your public information (address history, phone numbers, marriage records, death records, criminal history, etc...) and consolidated it for anyone to easily purchase.
I don't like being sold without my consent!
This brief blog post is compiled from Reddit and other posts to offer a one-stop shop of ways to Opt-Out from allowing your private data to be sold without consent!
Do It Yourself, for Best Results
DO NOT USE THE ONLINE SERVICES THAT SAY THEY WILL OPT OUT OF EVERYTHING FOR YOU! These 'services' send an opt out on your behalf that will be ignored by all the major marketers/data-miners because they only accept opt-outs from individual consumers. These 'service' companies often collect your info to spam you later.
Be Prepared for Identity Requests
I recommend that you scan some form of ID such as a state issued ID like a drivers license. Black out your picture and drivers number. Leaving your name, address and date of birth visible. Any sites that requires such a thing will have an asterisk (*) after the name in the list below.
The Big List
- The Direct Marketing Association (Opt-Out) is the legitimate trade group of direct marketing companies. If you opt out at DMA, it will be accepted by almost all legitimate data-mining companies.
- LexisNexus.com - Opt-out (Very stringent!)
- Intelius.com * - Opt-out
- Acxiom.com Opt-out
- MyLife.com - To request that a Member Profile or Public Profile be deleted, please contact Customer Care at 1-888-704-1900 or contact us by email at privacy@mylife.com Upon receipt of these requests, and confirmation that you are requesting that your own profile be removed, please allow MyLife 10 business days to complete this removal. It may be necessary to contact you to validate that you are the profile owner requesting the removal. This is to ensure the correct identity and profile ownership before completing these requests, and is for the protection of our users and their privacy.
- ZabaSearch.com* - Opt-out
- Spokeo.com - Opt-out
- BeenVerified.com - First, search the site to make sure you're listed. They usually have your legal name, aliases, age, current and previous addresses, and family members, but anyone can pay to see more (like your criminal record, bankruptcies, and more). Second, email Support@BeenVerified.com with the following template:
Dear Been Verified Customer Support:
As per your privacy policy, please remove my listing from your databases:
a. First name:
b. Last name:
c. Middle initial:
d. Aliases & AKA's:
e. Current address:
f. Age:
g. DOB:Thank you for your assistance.
Third, you'll get one email saying they received your opt-out request, and another confirming you've been deleted.
- PeekYou.com - Opt-Out
- USSearch.com* - Opt-Out
- PeopleFinders.com - Opt-Out: Annoying form you have to mail in
- PeopleLookup.com* - In order for PeopleLookup to suppress or opt out your personal information from appearing on our Website, we need to verify your identity. To do this, we require faxed proof of identity. Proof of identity can be a state issued ID card or driver's license. If you are faxing a copy of your driver's license, we require that you cross out the photo and the driver's license number. We only need to see the name, address and date of birth. We will only use this information to process your opt out request. Please fax to 425-974-6194 and allow 4 to 6 weeks to process your request.
- PeopleSmart.com - Opt-Out
- PrivateEye.com - Opt-Out
- WhitePages.com - Opt-Out
- USA-People-Search.com - Opt-Out: Yet another form to mail in
- DOBSearch.com* - In order for us to “opt out” your public information from being viewable on the public DOBsearch People Finder search results, we need to verify your identity and require faxed proof of identity. Proof of identity can be a state issued ID card or driver's license, or notarized letter. If you are faxing a copy of your driver's license, you may cross out the photo and the driver's license number. We only need to see the name, address and date of birth. Please fax to 516-717-3017 and allow 4 to 6 weeks to completely process your request. It is your responsibility to ensure legibility of your document
- Radaris.com - Opt-Out