In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal information. One way to do this is to opt out of data brokers, which are companies that collect and sell personal information about individuals.
There are a number of popular data brokers, including Whitepages, BeenVerified, Intelius, and LexisNexis. These companies collect information from a variety of sources, including public records, social media, and even credit reports. They then sell this information to businesses and individuals, who may use it for marketing purposes, background checks, or even identity theft.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, you can opt out of having your information collected by data brokers. The process for doing this varies from company to company, but it’s usually fairly simple. You can usually opt out online, by mail, or by phone.
Here’s how to opt out of the four most popular data brokers:
Whitepages
To opt out of Whitepages, go to the company’s website and click on the “Opt Out” link. You’ll then be asked to provide your name, email address, and phone number. You’ll also need to provide a reason for opting out. Once you’ve submitted your request, Whitepages will remove your information from its database within 24 hours.
BeenVerified
To opt out of BeenVerified, go to the company’s website and click on the “Opt Out” link. You’ll then be asked to provide your name, email address, and phone number. You’ll also need to provide a reason for opting out. Once you’ve submitted your request, BeenVerified will remove your information from its database within 72 hours.
Intelius
To opt out of Intelius, go to the company’s website and click on the “Opt Out” link. You’ll then be asked to provide your name, email address, and phone number. You’ll also need to provide a reason for opting out. Once you’ve submitted your request, Intelius will remove your information from its database within 10 business days.
LexisNexis
To opt out of LexisNexis, go to the company’s website and click on the “Opt Out” link. You’ll then be asked to provide your name, email address, and phone number. You’ll also need to provide a reason for opting out. Once you’ve submitted your request, LexisNexis will remove your information from its database within 30 days.
It’s important to note that opting out of data brokers will not completely prevent your personal information from being collected or used. However, it will make it more difficult for businesses and individuals to access your information without your consent.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, you should also take steps to protect your personal information online. This includes using strong passwords, being careful about what information you share on social media, and being aware of phishing scams.
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your personal information and keep yourself safe from identity theft.