How to Remove Your Info from Data Broker Sites (Whitepages, Spokeo & More)

Go ahead and Google your own name. Put your city next to it.

Shocked? You should be.

You will likely find your current home address, your cell phone number, your relatives’ names, and even a map to your front door-all listed for free on sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and FastPeopleSearch.

These companies are called Data Brokers. They scrape public records (voter registrations, property deeds, court records) and sell that information to anyone with a credit card.

For stalkers, scammers, and identity thieves, these sites are a directory. For you, they are a danger.

The good news? You have the legal right to opt out.

In this guide, we will walk you through the exact steps to remove your profile from the “Big 3” data brokers in under 15 minutes.

The “Whac-A-Mole” Problem

Before we start, a reality check: There are hundreds of data brokers. Removing yourself from one doesn’t remove you from all.

However, Whitepages, Spokeo, and FastPeopleSearch are the “Source” for many smaller sites. If you scrub these three, you disappear from a huge chunk of the visible internet.

1. How to Opt Out of Whitepages

Whitepages is the oldest and most trusted directory. It is often the first place people look.

Time Required: 5 Minutes Verification: Automated Phone Call

1. Find Your Profile: Go to Whitepages.com and search for your name. Find the profile that matches you.
2. Copy the URL: Open your profile and copy the link (URL) from the address bar.
3. Go to the Opt-Out Page: Visit the [suspicious link removed].
4. Paste & Verify: Paste your URL. Whitepages will ask you to verify your identity by calling you.
   Note:Note: You will need to give them a phone number to receive a robot call. The robot will give you a code to type on the screen.
5. The Result: Your profile should disappear within 24 hours.

2. How to Opt Out of Spokeo

Spokeo is aggressive. It aggregates social media data alongside physical addresses, making it a favorite tool for finding social media accounts.

Time Required: 3 Minutes Verification: Email Click

1. Find Your Profile: Search your name on Spokeo.com (you don’t need to pay-just find the free listing).
2. Copy the URL: Click on your name and copy the URL.
3. Go to the Opt-Out Page: Visit Spokeo’s Opt-Out page.
4. Paste & Email: Paste your URL and enter an email address.
   Intel Tip: Use a “burner” email or a secondary address, not your main work email.
5. Check Your Inbox: Click the confirmation link sent to your email. The listing usually vanishes instantly.

3. How to Opt Out of FastPeopleSearch

This site is terrifyingly fast and completely free, making it a favorite for quick background checks by strangers.

Time Required: 2 Minutes Verification: None (CAPTCHA only)

1. Go to the Removal Page: Skip the search bar. Go directly to the FastPeopleSearch Removal tool.
2. Search Yourself: Type your name into this specific removal form.
3. Select Your Profile: Click “Free Look Up” and find your specific record.
4. Click “Remove My Record”: There is a big red button that says “Remove My Record.” Click it.
5. The Result: It usually says “Record Removed” immediately.

Why This Matters for Security

Removing this data isn’t just about privacy; it’s about safety.

• Prevents Doxing: Angry people online cannot send pizza (or SWAT teams) to your house if they can’t find your address.
• Stops “Grandparent Scams”: Scammers use family lists on these sites to find the names of your grandchildren, fueling the Hi Mum / Family Emergency Scam.
• Hides Your Wealth: Real estate value is often listed, making you a target for targeted fraud.

The Bottom Line

You cannot delete yourself from the internet completely, but you can make yourself hard to find. By removing your info from these three giants, you become a “ghost” to 90% of the people looking for you.

Set a reminder to check these sites again in 6 months. Data brokers often “accidentally” re-list you after a system update.