How to Remove Your Personal Info from Data Broker Sites (2026 DIY Guide)

Your Identity is for Sale (for $0.99)

Have you ever Googled yourself and found your home address, phone number, and even the names of your relatives listed on a site you’ve never visited?

These are Data Brokers (or “People Search” sites). They scrape public records, social media, and buying habits to create a digital dossier on you, which they then sell to advertisers, telemarketers, and—most dangerously—scammers. In 2026, scammers use this “doxxed” info to make their phishing attempts look incredibly convincing.

The good news: You can force them to delete it. Here is the step-by-step manual guide to vanishing from the “Big Three” brokers.

1. Whitepages.com (The Industry Giant)

Whitepages is often the first stop for scammers looking for your current address and landline.

• Step 1: Search for your name on Whitepages.com. Locate your specific profile and click “View Details.”
  
• Step 2: Copy the URL of your profile page from your browser’s address bar.
  
• Step 3: Go to the [suspicious link removed].
  
• Step 4: Paste your URL and follow the prompts.
  
• Note: You may be required to verify via a phone call. Use a Google Voice number or a “burner” app if you don’t want to give them your primary mobile number.

2. Spokeo.com (The Social Aggregator)

Spokeo specializes in linking your social media accounts to your physical address.

• Step 1: Find your profile on Spokeo.
  
• Step 2: Copy the profile URL.
  
• Step 3: Navigate to Spokeo’s Opt-Out Form.
  
• Step 4: Paste the link and provide an email address (we recommend using a temporary “throwaway” email) to confirm the deletion.

3. MyLife.com (The “Reputation” Broker)

MyLife is notorious for creating “Reputation Scores” that can be seen by potential employers or landlords.

• Step 1: Locate your profile.
  
• Step 2: Instead of a form, MyLife often requires an email request. Send an email to privacy@mylife.com.
  
• Step 3: Use the subject line: “Opt-Out Request – [Your Full Name]” and include the link to your profile.
  Explicitly state: “I request that you permanently delete my profile and all associated data under applicable privacy laws.”

🏛️ The “California Shortcut” (New for 2026)

If you are a resident of California, you no longer have to do this site-by-site. As of January 1, 2026, the DROP (Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform) is live.

• By law, California residents can submit one single request via the state’s privacy portal, and all 500+ registered data brokers must delete your data within 45 days.
  
• Action: Visit privacy.ca.gov/drop to see if you qualify for this “one-click” disappearance.

Should You Use a Paid Service?

Manual removal is free, but data brokers are “persistent.” They often scrape new data and recreate your profile six months after you delete it.

• DIY: Best if you are on a budget and only care about the top 5-10 sites.
  
• Paid (Incogni, DeleteMe, Optery): Better if you want “set it and forget it” protection. These services send recurring deletion requests every 60–90 days to 400+ brokers on your behalf.

Summary: Stop the Leak

Removing yourself from data brokers is the digital equivalent of “shredding your mail.” It doesn’t make you invisible, but it makes you a much harder target for the next generation of AI scams.

Now that your data is off the web, make sure your phone isn’t leaking it back out. Read our 15-Minute Smartphone Privacy Audit to lock down your device.