How to Opt Out of Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified (Step-by-Step)

People search sites make your personal information—home address, phone number, relatives, and more—available to anyone with an internet connection. The good news? Most of these sites offer opt-out procedures. The bad news? Each has a different process, and some make it deliberately difficult.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for removing your information from the five most common people search sites. Follow these carefully, and you can significantly reduce your public exposure.

Before You Start: Important Tips

Document everything. Screenshot your listings before you start and save confirmation emails. This helps if your information reappears later.

Use a secondary email. Some sites require email verification. Use an email address you don't mind exposing to data brokers.

Be patient. Removal can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks, depending on the site.

Check back. Some sites have been known to restore information after removal. Set a calendar reminder to verify in 30-60 days.

1. Whitepages

Whitepages is one of the largest people search databases with over 275 million records. They display your name, current and past addresses, phone numbers, relatives, and age.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Find Your Listing

Go to whitepages.com and search for yourself using your name and city/state. Click on your profile to view your full listing.

Step 2: Copy Your Profile URL

Copy the full URL from your browser's address bar. It will look something like:

https://www.whitepages.com/name/John-Smith/City-State/xxxxx

Step 3: Go to the Opt-Out Page

Navigate to: whitepages.com/suppression-requests

Step 4: Paste Your Listing URL

Paste the URL you copied into the search field and click "Opt-out."

Step 5: Phone Verification

Whitepages requires phone verification. Enter a phone number where you can receive an automated call. They'll call you with a verification code.

Step 6: Enter the Code

Enter the verification code on the website to confirm your opt-out request.

Step 7: Confirmation

You should receive confirmation that your opt-out request has been submitted. Removal typically takes 24-48 hours.

Important Notes for Whitepages

• If you have multiple listings (previous addresses, maiden name), you'll need to repeat this process for each one
• Whitepages owns PeopleFinder, so opting out of one may help with the other
• Premium information may take longer to remove

2. Spokeo

Spokeo aggregates information from public records, social networks, and other sources. They display a disturbing amount of detail including social media profiles, email addresses, and lifestyle interests.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Find Your Listing

Go to spokeo.com and search for your name. Browse through results to find your specific listing and click on it.

Step 2: Copy the Profile URL

Copy the URL from your browser. It will look like:

https://www.spokeo.com/John-Smith/California/Los-Angeles/xxxxx

Step 3: Go to the Opt-Out Page

Navigate to: spokeo.com/optout

Step 4: Submit Your Listing URL

Paste your profile URL and enter your email address. Complete any CAPTCHA verification.

Step 5: Check Your Email

Spokeo will send a confirmation email. Click the link in the email to confirm your removal request.

Step 6: Confirm Removal

Clicking the link confirms your opt-out. Removal is usually processed within 24-48 hours.

Important Notes for Spokeo

• You'll receive an email when removal is complete
• Check for multiple listings under name variations
• Spokeo's free search shows limited info; you may have more exposure in their premium results

3. BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a subscription-based background check service that exposes criminal records, court records, property information, and more alongside standard contact details.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Find Your Listing

Go to beenverified.com and search for yourself. Note that you may need to view several results to find your specific listing.

Step 2: Go to the Opt-Out Page

Navigate to: beenverified.com/faq/opt-out

Alternatively, go to the footer of the BeenVerified website and click "Do Not Sell My Personal Information."

Step 3: Search for Yourself

Use the opt-out search to find your listing. Enter your first name, last name, and state.

Step 4: Select Your Listing

Browse the results and find your specific listing. Click "This is me" or the equivalent selection button.

Step 5: Provide Email for Verification

Enter your email address. BeenVerified will send a confirmation email.

Step 6: Confirm via Email

Click the verification link in the email to complete your opt-out request.

Step 7: Wait for Processing

BeenVerified typically processes removals within 24 hours to 7 days.

Important Notes for BeenVerified

• BeenVerified owns several other sites (PeopleLooker, etc.) — opting out may affect multiple properties
• Check back after 30 days to ensure removal stuck
• If your info reappears, submit another opt-out request

4. TruePeopleSearch

TruePeopleSearch is particularly concerning because it's completely free and shows extensive information including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, relatives, associates, and even neighbors.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Find Your Listing

Go to truepeoplesearch.com and search for yourself using your name and state.

Step 2: View Your Record

Click "View All Details" on your listing to open your full profile.

Step 3: Find the Remove Button

Scroll down on your profile page. Look for a link that says "Remove This Record" (usually near the bottom).

Step 4: Complete the CAPTCHA

You'll be asked to verify you're human with a CAPTCHA.

Step 5: Confirm Removal

Confirm that you want to remove this record. The removal should be processed within 72 hours.

Important Notes for TruePeopleSearch

• The process is relatively simple, but you may have multiple listings
• Check variations of your name (with/without middle name, maiden name)
• TruePeopleSearch data often feeds other sites, so removing here can have broader benefits

5. Intelius

Intelius is a major data aggregator that owns or supplies data to numerous other people search sites. Opting out here can have cascading benefits.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Find Your Listing

Go to intelius.com and search for yourself.

Step 2: Access the Opt-Out Form

Navigate to: intelius.com/opt-out or look for the privacy policy link in the footer.

Step 3: Complete the Form

Fill out the opt-out form with:

• Your full name
• Current address
• Date of birth (may be required for verification)

Step 4: Submit Identification

Intelius may require you to upload or fax a copy of your ID. If so:

• Redact your photo and ID number
• Only provide enough to verify your identity

Step 5: Submit via Fax or Mail (If Required)

Some removal requests must be faxed to: 1-425-974-6194

Or mailed to:

Intelius Consumer Affairs

P.O. Box 4145

Bellevue, WA 98009-4145

Step 6: Wait for Processing

Intelius removals can take 2-4 weeks due to the manual verification process.

Important Notes for Intelius

• Intelius is connected to ZabaSearch, PeopleLookup, and other sites
• Their opt-out process is more cumbersome but worth completing
• Keep copies of any mailed or faxed documents

After You Opt Out: Next Steps

Verify Removal

Set calendar reminders to check each site 1-2 weeks after your opt-out request:

• Search for your name again
• Confirm your listing no longer appears
• Document the removal with screenshots

Monitor for Reappearance

Some sites have been known to restore information over time:

• Check monthly for the first 3 months
• Check quarterly thereafter
• Resubmit opt-out requests if necessary

Address Related Sites

Many data brokers share information. After opting out of the major sites, check:

• Radaris
• FastPeopleSearch
• Nuwber
• PeopleFinder
• USSearch

Each has its own opt-out process.

Consider the Source

People search sites get their data from public records, social media, and data brokers. To prevent your information from reappearing:

• Review your social media privacy settings
• Be cautious about public records (voter registration, property filings)
• Consider a PO Box for public filings

The Scale of the Problem

Here's the challenge: we've covered just five sites, but there are over 200 people search and data broker sites that may have your information. Each has a different opt-out process. Some are easy; others require mailed requests, faxed forms, or ID verification.

Doing this manually for every site could take weeks of work.

A Better Approach

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Our report includes:

• Every site exposing your data
• Direct links to opt-out pages
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• Estimated removal timelines

Stop spending hours on research. Get your personalized privacy report and start reclaiming your information today.

Your personal data is exposed across the web. Let's take it back.