A simply complicated guide to removing your info from data brokers

data_brokers.txt

  I've compiled a list of data 
aggregators, data brokers, direct marketing firms, and others who trade 
personal data. Many of these are very quickly dealt with via web forms, 
but others require a letter and a copy of a photo ID.  Many of the data 
brokers came from my notes, but others have come from Reddit threads, 
and stopdatamining.me. All sources were fairly out of date, so I've gone 
through and listed the current contact info and process for each.  Feel 
free to pass it along and let me know if there are any errors or 
omissions. ^_^

When you look at the list of data brokers, it's easy to get overwhelmed. 
  If you only have a little time to spend on this, I recommend:
   - Look at Spokeo.com, and ask for any records on you to be removed via 
their web form.
   - Opt-out at the Direct Marketing Association (many companies use this 
list to automatically remove people). 
https://dmachoice.thedma.org/register.php
   - Remove unused apps from your phone and social media accounts to 
limit data loss.

Quick reminder: other than credit reporting agencies, no one should ask 
for your social security number or tax ID while opting out.  When 
sending a copy of your ID, mark out the ID number and photo.

== Credit Reporting Agencies ==

There's not a good way to fully opt-out of credit reporting.  Get a free 
annual credit report via annualcreditreport.com (if you have a social 
security number or tax ID number). I highly recommend requesting via 
snail mail and requesting that errors be removed.  You can also opt-out 
of pre-approved credit card & loan offers, which is a common vector for 
identity theft.

Equifax, Inc. (NYSE:EFX)  
https://help.equifax.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2/noIntercept/1/kw/prescreen
   Opt-out by: Email, Phone, or Mail
   Phone: 1-888-567-8688
   Website: www.optoutprescreen.com
   Address:
     Equifax Information Services LLC
     P.O. Box 740123
     Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Experian plc (LON:EXPN)  
http://www.experian.com/privacy/opting_out_preapproved_offers.html
   Opt-out by: Phone or Website
   Phone: 1-888-567-8688
   Website: www.optoutprescreen.com

TransUnion Corp.  
http://www.transunion.com/corporate/business/datareporting/support/opt-out.page
   Opt-out by: Email, Phone, or Mail
   Phone: 1-888-567-8688
   Website: www.optoutprescreen.com
   Address:
     TransUnion
	Name Removal Option
	P.O. Box 505
	Woodlyn, PA 19094

Innovis, Inc.  https://www.innovis.com/InnovisWeb/pers_lc_opt_out.html
   Opt-out by: Phone, Mail, Fax, or Website
   Phone: 1-800-540-2505
   Fax: 1-877-314-0017
   Website: www.optoutprescreen.com
   Address:
     Innovis
     Attn: Consumer Assistance
     P.O. Box 1640
     Pittsburgh, PA 15230

Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO)  
http://www.myfico.com/policy/privacypolicy.aspx
   Opt-out by: Email or Phone
   Notes: While you may not have heard of Fair Isaac, you've definitely 
heard of credit scores. The scores are created by FICO from information 
from one of the three credit reporting agencies above. And if you've 
used one of their products directly, they do keep a fair bit of data.  
But opting out of sharing is easy. =)
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: 1-888-342-6336

LexisNexis Group  http://www.lexisnexis.com/privacy/
   Opt-out by: Mail or Website (in some cases)
   Notes: LN isn't a credit reporting agency per se, but is maintaining a 
large amount of data that is frequently incorrect. To comply with the 
FCRA, they do allow people to obtain their own file, and to correct 
errors.
   Obtain your information via mail: 
https://personalreports.lexisnexis.com/access_your_full_file_disclosure.jsp
   Pre-approved offer opt-out: 
http://www.lexisnexis.com/risk/prescreened-offers-optout/
   Full opt-out online: Fully opting out of LexisNexis's system is only 
possible for people who are in physical danger or who've faced identity 
theft.
     Website: 
http://www.lexisnexis.com/privacy/for-consumers/opt-out-of-lexisnexis.aspx


== Data Brokers ==

Spokeo.com http://www.spokeo.com/opt_out/new
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Find your profiles, and submit them via the web form. They will 
be removed within a few days.

PeekYou.com http://www.peekyou.com/about/contact/optout/index.php
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Find your profiles, and submit the unique ID from them to have 
them removed.

Pipl https://pipl.com/help/remove/
   Notes: Refuses to allow opt-outs. Frequently incorrect info aggregated 
from across the internet.

WhitePages.com
   Notes: To remove information, you must first make an account.
   Step-by-step instructions: 
https://support.whitepages.com/hc/en-us/articles/203263794-Remove-my-listing-from-Whitepages-

Epsilon Data Management, LLC
   
https://www.epsilon.com/en_US/for-consumer/marketing-data-summary-request.html
   Notes: Epsilon is one of the largest data brokers, and has bought up 
several smaller data brokers to obtain their databases (such as Abacus 
Corp).  Opt-outs may take up to three months to process.
   Opt-out by: Email, Telephone, Mail
   Email: [email protected] (US), [email protected] (EU/EEA), 
[email protected] (Asia)
   Phone: 1-888-780-3869

   North America:
   Epsilon,
   Attention: Privacy Manager,
   2550 Crescent Drive,
   Lafayette, CO 80026

   EU & EEA region:
   Epsilon International,
   Attention: Privacy,
   Teddington House,
   67 Broad Street,
   Teddington,
   Middlesex TW11 8QZ, UK

   Asian-Pacific region:
   Epsilon International-APAC,
   Attention: Privacy,
   Room 2601, 26/F,
   Hopewell Center,
   183 Queen’s Road East,
   Wanchai,
   Hong Kong

Acxiom Corporation (NSDQ:AXCM)  
https://isapps.acxiom.com/optout/optout.aspx
   Opt-out by: Website or Phone
   Notes: For best results,
   Email: [email protected] (inquiries)
   Phone: 1-877-774-2094

Intelius, Inc.  https://www.intelius.com/optout.php
   Opt-out by: Website, Fax, or Mail
   Notes: Intelius runs a number of "people finder" and "background 
check" websites. This opt-out form will apply to all of them.  You must 
provide an ID (faxed, scanned, or mailed) to opt-out.
   Fax: 1-425-974-6194
   Address:
     Intelius Consumer Affairs
     P.O. Box 4145
     Bellevue, WA 98009-4145

Ameridex  http://ameridex.com/
   Opt-out by: Email or Mail
   Notes: Primarily public vital records (eg birth & death)
   Email: [email protected]
   Address:
     Ameridex
     PO Box 193061
     San Francisco, CA
     94119-3051

BeenVerified
   http://www.beenverified.com/opt-out-instructions
   Opt-out by: Website or Email ([email protected])
   Notes: Profile removed within 24 hours via the website.
   Find profile: https://www.beenverified.com/f/optout/search

Harte-Hanks, Inc. (NYSE:HHS)  http://www.hartehanks.com/privacy
   Opt-out by: Email
   Notes: Ask how to have your personal information removed. For 
advertising data, see Digital Advertising Alliance below.
   Email: [email protected]

People Smart ("Email Finder," others)
   https://www.peoplesmart.com/optout-policy
   Opt-out by: Website, email, or mail
   Notes: People Smart offers an API to companies, so opting out here may 
remove data from other sites. Look up your profile with no City&State to 
get all results. Can take 3-14 days to have data removed.
   Find profile: https://www.peoplesmart.com/optout-go
   Email: [email protected]
   Address:
     People Smart
     Privacy Department
     P.O. Box 391146
     Omaha, NE 68139

InfoPay EmailTracer  http://www.emailtracer.com/tos.php
   Opt-out by: Fax or Mail
   Notes: They ask for a lot of info to opt-out. Only provide them with 
what you can see in their database (full name, address, and photo ID).
   Fax: 1-617-993-9946
   Find profile: http://www.emailtracer.com
   Address:
     EmailTracer Opt Out Compliance Dept.
     P.O. Box 990043
     Boston, MA 02199

LocatePLUS  https://www.locateplus.com/privacy.asp  Mail  Pay $25. Mail 
information requested.
   Opt-out by: Email, mail, phone
   Notes: States they can't remove "third party" data. Primarily sells 
data to law enforcement and bill collectors.  Their website heavily 
implies that they can give social security numbers and other identifying 
info to anyone with a business tax ID.
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: 1-888-746-3463
   Address:
     LocatePLUS
     2 Corporation Way
     Suite 150
     Peabody, MA 01960

People Finders.ws http://www.people-finders.ws/privacy.aspx?popup=true 
(Same company as veromi.net & peoplesearchnow.com)
   Opt-out by: Mail
   Notes: They ask for a laundry list of personal info to process an 
opt-out. It's a good idea to find records and include the links in your 
request.
   Address:
     Opt-Out/People-Finders.ws
	1821 Q Street
	Sacramento, CA 95811

PeopleFinders.com  http://www.peoplefinders.com/privacy.aspx
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Look up information and click "That's Me," then click "Opt out 
my info" on the next page. You may need to check in cities you used to 
live in to find your profile.
   Find profile: http://www.peoplefinders.com/manage

Peoplelookup.com (Intelius) http://www.peoplelookup.com/privacy.php
Spock.com
   Opt-out by: Using Intelius opt-out method above.

PeopleSearchNow.com  http://www.peoplesearchnow.com/privacy
   Opt-out by: Mail
   Notes: They require people to fill out a form: 
http://www.peoplesearchnow.com/Opt%20Out%20Request%20Form_PSN.docx
   Address:
     Opt-Out/PeopleSearchNow.com
	1821 Q Street
	Sacramento, CA 95811

Phone Detective  https://www.phonedetective.com/PD.aspx?_act=OptOut
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Quickly remove one's phone number.
   Email: [email protected]

PrivateEye  
http://www.privateeye.com/Help/default.aspx?from=hys0359866156&piid=03#RemoveFromRecords
   Opt-out by: Website or Mail
   Notes: Because this is several services, they mistakenly (?) direct 
visitors to People Finders to find/remove info.
   Find/remove profile: http://www.peoplefinders.com/manage
   Address:
     Opt-Out/PrivateEye.com
	1821 Q Street
	Sacramento, CA 95811

PublicBackgroundChecks.com  
http://www.publicbackgroundchecks.com/privacypolicy.aspx
   Opt-out by: Mail
   Notes: They ask for a lot of info to opt-out. Only provide them with 
what you can see in their database (full name, address, and photo ID).
   Address:
     Public Background Checks
     305 5th Avenue S, Suite 201
     La Crosse, WI 54601

PublicRecordsNOW  http://www.publicrecordsnow.com/static/view/privacy
   Opt-out by: Mail
   Notes: They ask for a lot of info to opt-out. Only provide them with 
what you can see in their database (full name, address, and photo ID).
   Address:
     Opt-Out/PublicRecordsNow
	1821 Q Street
	Sacramento, CA 95811

USA People Search  http://www.usa-people-search.com/help.aspx#p3
   Opt-out by: https://www.usa-people-search.com/manage/
   Notes: Search database, find yourself, then select that record for 
removal.

US Search.com (Intelius) 
http://www.ussearch.com/consumer/ala/landing.do?did=590
   Opt-out by: Mail or Fax
   Notes: You must provide a copy of your ID and a letter with your name, 
address, and date of birth to opt out.
   Fax: 1-425-974-6194
   Address:
     Intelius Consumer Affairs
     P.O. Box 4145
     Bellevue, WA 98009-4145

Veromi.net  http://www.veromi.net/privacy.aspx  (Same company as 
people-finders.ws)
   Opt-out by: Mail
   Notes: They ask for a laundry list of personal info to process an 
opt-out. It's a good idea to find records and include the links in your 
request.
   Address:
     Opt-Out/Veromi.net
	1821 Q Street
	Sacramento, CA 95811

Westlaw (Thompson Reuters Corp.) 
http://static.legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/static/pdf/opt_out_form.pdf
   Opt-out by:  Mail
   Notes: They only allow opt-out for people who are in physical danger, 
are a judge or public official, or are a victim of identity theft.

ZABA Inc. http://www.zabasearch.com/privacy.php
   Opt-out by: Fax
   Notes: Include a copy of your ID with your request.
   Fax:  1-425-974-6194


== Online Marketing ==

Digital marketing firms also conduct monitoring and correlation of user 
data.  This is most noticeable with "retargeting," the phenomena where 
ads seem to follow you around the internet.  Opting out won't keep ads 
from displaying, but helps limit retargeting and self-reinforcing ad 
cycles.

Advertiser 1: You looked at dog food yesterday, so you *must* have a 
dog, right? We'll show you more ads about dog food so maybe you'll buy 
*our* dog food next time.
Advertiser 2: Because you're seeing lots of ads about dogfood, you must 
have a dog, right?

Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): 
http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/#completed
   Opt-out by: Website checklist
   Notes: Allows people to opt-out of several ad networks at once.

Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): www.aboutads.info/choices/
   Opt-out by: Website checklist
   Notes: Allows people to opt-out of several ad networks at once.

European Interactive Digital Adverting Alliance (EDAA): 
http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/
   Opt-out by: Website checklist
   Notes: Select your country and it will guide you through the process.

Google Ads: https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads/authenticated?hl=en
   Opt-out by: Website settings
   Notes: Partial opt-out. Must be logged into Google account to adjust 
settings. This would seem to be most useful to regular Google or Chrome 
users.

Oracle / Eloqua / BlueKai / DataLogix Holdings:
   Opt-out by: Website settings or Mail
   "Marketing Cloud": Must be conducted on each browser you want 
protected, since it's done via cookies.
      Website:  https://www.oracle.com/marketingcloud/opt-status.html
   "Offline Data": To remove offline data, you must send a letter with a 
copy of photo ID.
   Address:
     Chief Privacy Officer, Oracle
     10 Van de Graaff Drive
     Burlington, MA 01803


== Direct Marketers ==

If you get a lot of junk mail, opting out of these will help a bit. 
These databases are also frequently traded, so if you're trying to keep 
your home address off the internet, it can be a good idea to opt-out.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA): 
https://dmachoice.thedma.org/register.php
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Many companies use this database to automatically remove people 
who don't want to receive flyers, etc.

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (NYSE:DNB)
   http://www.dnb.com/utility-pages/privacy-policy.html
   Phone: 1-800-234-3867
   Email (US): [email protected] (opt-out) or 
[email protected] (inquiry)
   Email (EU): [email protected] or [email protected]
   Notes: They collect data on businesses and individuals, then 
sell/provide to third-parties. DNB is a *very* large organization -- 
most businesses in the US have a DNB number, and a company's DNB file 
acts as sort of credit report for business-to-business lending/services.

Cox Target Media (Valpak coupons)  
https://www.valpak.com/coupons/show/mailinglistsuppression
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Fill in address to be removed from mailing lists.

Infogroup Inc.  
https://www.infousa.com/infogroup-consumer-choice-and-resource-center/
   Opt-out by: Email, Phone, Fax, or Mail
   Notes: You must provide a copy of your ID and a letter with your name, 
address, and date of birth to opt out.
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: 1-800-794-1404
   Fax:  1-402-836-3993
   Address:
     Infogroup
     Attn: Content Feedback
     1020 E 1st St
     Papillion, NE 68046

Meredith Corporation  http://www.meredith.com/privacy.html#howwedisclose
   Opt-out by: Website or Mail
   Website: http://www.meredith.com/offlinePrivacy.html
   Address:
     Meredith Corporation
     Opt-out Postal: Attn Circulation
     1716 Locust Street
     Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Merkle, Inc.  http://www.merkleinc.com/privacy
   Opt-out by: Use DMA opt-out method. They remove data that matches DMA 
opt-out records.

Reader's Digest (and other Trusted Media brands) 
http://tmbi.com/privacy-policy/
   Opt-out by: Email, Phone, or Mail
   Notes: They distribute snail-mail ads, telemarketing calls, and sell 
personal info to advertisers.
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: 1-877-342-4775
   Address:
     Trusted Media Brands, Inc.
     PO Box 6095
     Harlan, IA 51593

Suarez Corporation Industries  http://www.suarez.com/privacy-policy/
   Opt-out by: Email, Phone, or Mail
   Notes: Direct mail marketer.
   Email: [email protected]
   Phone: 330-494-4282
   Address:
     7800 Whipple Ave N.W.
     North Canton, OH 44720

Valassis Communications / RedPlum  http://www.valassis.com/
   Opt-out by: Website
   Notes: Junk mail; coupons and flyers.
   Website: https://www.redplum.com/tools/redplum-postal-addremove.html


== Telemarketers ==

National Do Not Call Registry (US)
   Opt-out: https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx
   Notes: Not all telemarketers comply with the Do Not Call list, but 
calling people who are on the list is a violation of FTC rules. As of 
2016, reported violations have generated $74M in penalties.


== License ==
Public domain. Please send updates to Griffin Boyce 
<[email protected]>

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