BeenVerified Opt Out: The Complete Guide to Removing Your Personal Information

Why Opt Out of BeenVerified?

BeenVerified is one of the largest people search sites on the internet, with approximately 16.3 million visitors looking up personal information every month. The site compiles data from public records, government databases, and commercial data sources to create detailed profiles that anyone can access.

These profiles can include sensitive details like your date of birth, criminal records, property deeds, relatives, employment history, phone numbers, addresses, and even estimated net worth. While this information comes from public sources, having it aggregated and easily searchable creates real privacy and security risks.

The good news? You can opt out of BeenVerified for free-no account or payment required. The process takes about 15 minutes, and your information should be removed within 24-72 hours.

What Information Does BeenVerified Actually Have About You?

Before you start the opt-out process, it's important to understand exactly what data BeenVerified collects and displays. The platform aggregates information from thousands of sources including federal, state, county, and local government databases, as well as commercial data providers.

Public Records BeenVerified Accesses

BeenVerified pulls data from multiple categories of public records. Property deeds show ownership history and estimated home values. Court records reveal civil lawsuits, bankruptcies, liens, and judgments. Criminal records may include arrest records, convictions, and incarceration details, though accuracy varies by jurisdiction. Marriage and divorce records are sourced from county clerks' offices across the country.

Professional licenses, business registrations, and voter registration information also feed into their database. This creates a surprisingly comprehensive picture of your public footprint-often more detailed than most people realize.

Commercially Licensed Data

Beyond public records, BeenVerified licenses data from commercial sources. Magazine subscriptions, store loyalty cards, warranty registrations, and online shopping accounts all contribute data points. Your mortgage information, phone carrier records, and even social media activity can appear in reports.

The platform claims to have billions of data points across millions of records, and they continuously refresh their database from these sources. This is why even after opting out, your information may reappear if new data becomes available.

Understanding the Privacy Risks

Having your information on BeenVerified creates several tangible risks beyond general privacy concerns. Understanding these threats helps explain why removal matters.

Identity Theft and Fraud

Criminals use information from data brokers to make their scams more convincing. When a phishing email includes your real address, phone number, or details about your family members, you're far more likely to fall for it. Fraudsters specifically target groups like retirees and veterans using data purchased from people search sites.

Your date of birth combined with address history provides much of what's needed to open fraudulent accounts. While BeenVerified claims not to show full Social Security numbers, the other details create a blueprint for identity theft.

Physical Safety Concerns

Data brokers enable physical harm by making it easy to locate people. Domestic violence survivors who have carefully hidden their whereabouts can be found through a simple search. Stalkers use these platforms to track victims across state lines. Even law enforcement officers and judges face increased threats when their home addresses and family information are publicly searchable.

This isn't theoretical-numerous cases document how people search sites facilitated harassment, stalking, and worse. The ease of access means anyone with malicious intent can find detailed information about potential targets for less than the cost of a meal.

Discrimination and Financial Impact

Information sold by data brokers influences decisions about credit, insurance rates, and even job opportunities-though using BeenVerified for employment decisions violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Landlords frequently search potential tenants, and inaccurate or incomplete information can result in denied housing applications.

Data brokers create profiles like "economically anxious elders" or compile lists based on health conditions that sell for premium prices. Your information might place you in categories that lead to predatory marketing or discriminatory practices, often without your knowledge.

Step-by-Step: How to Opt Out of BeenVerified

BeenVerified has made their opt-out process relatively straightforward compared to other data brokers. Here's exactly what you need to do:

Step 1: Navigate to the Opt-Out Page

Go to BeenVerified's website and scroll to the footer. Click on the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link. This takes you directly to their opt-out portal where you can search for your records.

Step 2: Search for Your Profile

Enter your first name, last name, and state into the search form. Click "Search" to locate your listing. If you have a common name, you may see multiple results-look for the one that matches your information (age, city, relatives listed).

Pro tip: If you can't find your record, try adding a middle initial or adjusting the city/state filters on the left side of the results page. You can also use the age range slider to narrow down results.

Step 3: Initiate the Opt-Out Request

Once you've found your profile, click the "Proceed to Opt Out" button next to your listing. On the next page, you'll need to enter your email address and complete a CAPTCHA verification.

Important: Consider using a secondary email address that doesn't reveal personal information. This prevents the site from collecting or potentially displaying your primary email address. A disposable email works, but make sure it stays active long enough to complete the verification process.

Step 4: Verify Your Request

Check your inbox for a verification email from BeenVerified-it typically arrives within 5 minutes. Open the email and click the "Verify Opt-Out" button. The verification link expires after 48 hours, so don't delay.

Step 5: Confirm Removal

After clicking the verification link, you'll be redirected to a confirmation page. BeenVerified processes most requests within 24 hours, though complete removal can take up to 72 hours. You'll also receive a final confirmation email once your opt-out is complete.

After a day or two, search for yourself on BeenVerified again to confirm your profile has been removed.

What If You Have Multiple Profiles?

Many people discover they have several listings on BeenVerified-variations based on maiden names, previous addresses, or name changes. Unfortunately, BeenVerified only allows you to remove one profile at a time through their standard opt-out form.

If you find multiple profiles that need removal, you have two options:

• Repeat the process: Go through the opt-out steps for each individual profile
• Contact support directly: Email [email protected] and list all the profiles you need removed. Their support team typically responds within 72 hours and can handle bulk removal requests

Alternative Methods to Opt Out

If the online form doesn't work for you, or you prefer direct communication, BeenVerified offers additional contact options:

Phone Removal Request

Call BeenVerified at 1-844-823- and navigate to the "Privacy Rights" or "Requests" option. When connected with a representative, provide your personal information and the URL of your record if you have it. Ask when you can expect your request to be processed, and request written confirmation via email.

Email Removal Request

Send an email to [email protected] with the following information:

• Your full name
• Date of birth
• Current and previous addresses
• The URL of the record you want removed (if available)

Clearly state that you want all your records removed and ask for notification once the process is complete.

Mail Removal Request

For those who prefer traditional correspondence, you can mail your opt-out request to: MSC - 98, PO Box 68, Atlanta, GA 8. Include the same information you would provide in an email request.

The Harsh Reality: Your Information May Reappear

Here's something most guides don't emphasize enough: opting out of BeenVerified isn't permanent. The site regularly refreshes its database from public sources. If new information about you surfaces-or the same information from different sources-BeenVerified can recreate your profile.

This means you may need to periodically check and re-submit opt-out requests. Set a calendar reminder to search for yourself on BeenVerified every few months.

BeenVerified's Affiliated Networks

When you opt out of BeenVerified, you're also removing your information from their network of affiliated sites. This includes PeopleLooker, NeighborWho, and Ownerly. The removal works in both directions-if you've previously opted out of any affiliated site, your BeenVerified profile may already be removed.

However, this doesn't mean you're removed from all people search sites. Each data broker operates independently, and you'll need to submit separate requests to platforms like Whitepages, Spokeo, Intelius, Radaris, and TruthFinder.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Different states have enacted various laws governing data brokers and your rights to control personal information. Understanding these protections helps you know what you're entitled to.

California Privacy Laws

California leads the nation in data privacy protections. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives residents the right to know what information companies collect, the right to delete that information, and the right to opt out of its sale. The California Delete Act, which took effect recently, requires data brokers to register with the state and honor deletion requests through a centralized platform.

California residents can now use the Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) to submit a single deletion request to all registered data brokers simultaneously. This groundbreaking system eliminates the need to contact each broker individually.

Other State Privacy Laws

Vermont was the first state to require data broker registration. Texas, Oregon, and other states have followed with their own data broker laws. While these don't provide the comprehensive deletion mechanism California offers, they do increase transparency about who's collecting your data.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe provides much stronger protections, including the requirement that companies obtain consent before collecting personal data. Unfortunately, no equivalent federal law exists in the United States, leaving privacy protection largely to individual states.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act

It's crucial to understand that BeenVerified is not a Consumer Reporting Agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This means their reports cannot legally be used for employment screening, tenant background checks, credit decisions, or insurance underwriting. Using BeenVerified for these purposes creates significant legal liability.

However, this also means BeenVerified doesn't have to follow the accuracy requirements and dispute resolution procedures that credit bureaus must follow. If information on BeenVerified is wrong, you have limited recourse.

Beyond BeenVerified: The Bigger Picture

Removing yourself from BeenVerified is an important first step, but your data likely exists on 40+ other people search platforms like Whitepages, Spokeo, PeopleFinder, Radaris, and TruthFinder. Each site has its own opt-out process, and manually removing your information from all of them could take hundreds of hours.

This is where understanding how your information flows online becomes valuable. If you're researching individuals for legitimate business purposes-whether for sales prospecting, recruiting, or due diligence-it's worth knowing what information is actually accurate and trustworthy.

For B2B professionals who need reliable background information on potential business contacts, our free Background Checker tool provides comprehensive reports with trust scores that help you understand data reliability. Unlike consumer-facing people search sites, it's designed for professional use cases where accuracy matters.

The Data Broker Industry: By The Numbers

Understanding the scope of the data broker industry helps explain why your information is so widely available. The data brokerage industry is estimated to be worth between $200 billion and $460 billion annually, with thousands of companies worldwide collecting and selling personal information.

Major data brokers like Acxiom maintain profiles on hundreds of millions of consumers globally, with thousands of data points per person. These companies collect information from an estimated 1,500+ brands that sell customer data from loyalty programs. Even banks have joined the practice, selling insights about your purchasing patterns.

Your email address on a list of people with a specific medical condition might sell for $80. A list categorizing you as a particular type of traveler could be worth $250 per name. This is why data brokers are so aggressive about collecting and maintaining information-your personal details are literally a commodity.

Troubleshooting Common Opt-Out Problems

Not every opt-out request goes smoothly. Here's how to handle common issues:

Can't Find Your Profile

If you can't locate your listing, try variations of your name. Use your full legal name, then try nicknames or shortened versions. Search with and without middle names or initials. Try different previous addresses if you've moved recently.

Sometimes profiles are listed under outdated information. If you changed your name after marriage or divorce, search under both your current and previous names.

Verification Link Doesn't Work

If you click the verification link and see a "validation code invalid" error, don't panic. Contact BeenVerified at [email protected] or [email protected] and explain what happened. Include the URL of the profile you're trying to remove.

Information Reappears After Removal

This is frustratingly common. BeenVerified regularly updates its database from public sources. When this happens, you'll need to submit a new opt-out request. Consider setting up a Google Alert for your name so you're notified when new information appears online.

Multiple Removals Needed

If you have numerous variations of your name or a long address history creating many profiles, contact [email protected] directly. Provide a list of all URLs that need removal. While their system is designed for one-at-a-time removal, support staff can often process bulk requests to save you time.

Protecting Your Privacy Going Forward

After completing your BeenVerified opt-out, take these additional steps to minimize your digital footprint:

• Audit your social media: Review privacy settings on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms. Limit who can see your posts and personal details
• Set up Google Alerts: Create alerts for your full name and name variations to monitor when new information appears online
• Use unique email addresses: Consider creating separate emails for different purposes (shopping, social accounts, professional use) to limit cross-platform tracking
• Review data breach exposure: Use services like Have I Been Pwned to check if your information has been compromised in data breaches
• Limit public records exposure: Be mindful that property purchases, court records, and business registrations become public information that feeds into these databases

Monitoring Services vs. Manual Removal

Several paid services promise to remove your information from data brokers automatically and continuously monitor for reappearances. These services typically cost between $100-$300 per year and handle dozens to hundreds of data broker opt-outs on your behalf.

The advantage is convenience-they handle the tedious work of finding your profiles and submitting removal requests. They also monitor for when your data reappears and automatically resubmit opt-outs. The disadvantage is cost, and the fact that you're trusting another company with your personal information.

Manual removal is free but time-consuming. If you have the time and patience to work through each data broker individually, you can achieve similar results. The key is consistency-you need to periodically check and resubmit requests as data reappears.

What Data Brokers Actually Do With Your Information

Understanding who buys your data and why helps explain the privacy ecosystem. Data brokers don't just collect information for storage-they package and sell it for specific purposes.

Targeted advertising: Advertisers buy detailed profiles to target ads based on your demographics, interests, purchasing history, and online behavior. This is why ads seem eerily relevant to recent searches.

Marketing lists: Companies purchase lists of people matching specific criteria. "New parents in urban areas" or "tech-savvy homeowners" are examples of targeted segments data brokers create and sell.

Risk assessment: Lenders and insurance companies buy data to assess the likelihood you'll default on a loan or file an insurance claim. This influences rates and approval decisions.

Fraud detection: Legitimate businesses use data broker information to verify identities and flag potentially fraudulent applications. When you apply for credit and they "verify" your information, they're often checking against data broker databases.

People search sites: Platforms like Spokeo, PeekYou, and Pipl license data from larger brokers to power their search services. This creates a web of interconnected databases all containing your information.

Government and law enforcement: Various government agencies purchase data from brokers to access information they would otherwise need a warrant to obtain. This practice has raised significant constitutional concerns.

For Sales and Recruiting Professionals

If you're reading this guide because you work in sales, recruiting, or marketing, you understand the value of accurate contact information-and the frustration when data is outdated or incorrect.

People search sites like BeenVerified often contain stale information that leads to wasted outreach. Professional prospecting requires verified, current data. Our Email Verifier helps you validate email addresses before sending campaigns, reducing bounce rates and protecting your sender reputation.

For building prospect lists with accurate contact information, our Mobile Number Finder locates cell phone numbers from email addresses or LinkedIn profiles-giving you direct lines to decision-makers instead of relying on potentially outdated directory data.

When you need to research companies rather than individuals, our Tech Stack Scraper identifies websites using specific technologies, helping you target prospects based on their technical infrastructure. This provides far more relevant prospecting data than generic demographic information from people search sites.

The Future of Data Privacy

Data privacy regulations are evolving rapidly. More states are considering comprehensive privacy laws similar to California's CCPA. Federal legislation has been proposed multiple times, though nothing has passed yet.

The Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) launched by California represents a potential model for other states. This centralized deletion mechanism allows consumers to direct all registered data brokers to delete their information with a single request, rather than contacting each broker individually.

However, enforcement remains challenging. Many data brokers fail to register in all states where they're required to. Some ignore deletion requests or demand excessive personal information to "verify" requests. The gap between legislation and effective enforcement leaves many consumers unprotected.

Technological solutions are also emerging. Privacy-focused browsers, browser extensions that block trackers, and tools that limit data collection provide some protection. But as long as public records remain accessible and companies can legally sell customer data, complete privacy remains elusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost money to remove my information from BeenVerified?

No, opting out of BeenVerified is completely free. You don't need an account or subscription. If any site asks you to pay for removal from BeenVerified, it's likely a scam.

How long does BeenVerified take to process opt-out requests?

Most requests are processed within 24 hours, though complete removal can take up to 72 hours. Some users report their removal taking up to seven business days.

Can I opt out on behalf of someone else?

You must be the person listed in the record or have legal authorization (such as power of attorney) to request removal on someone else's behalf.

What if my information reappears after opting out?

You'll need to submit a new opt-out request. This is common when BeenVerified refreshes its database with new information from public sources. There's currently no way to prevent BeenVerified from collecting your public information in the first place.

Will opting out of BeenVerified remove me from other sites?

No. Each data broker operates independently. While BeenVerified powers some affiliated sites, you'll need to submit separate opt-out requests to other platforms like Whitepages, Spokeo, and Intelius.

Is BeenVerified legally allowed to collect my information?

Yes. BeenVerified collects information from public records and other legal sources. In most of the United States, no law prevents companies from aggregating and selling public information. However, they must honor opt-out requests under various state laws.

Can I completely remove all traces of myself from the internet?

Complete removal is nearly impossible. Public records like property deeds, court filings, and professional licenses remain publicly accessible. The best you can do is remove your information from aggregator sites that make it easily searchable.

Will opting out affect my credit score or background checks?

No. BeenVerified is not a credit reporting agency, so opting out has no impact on your credit score. Legitimate background check companies use different sources that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

How do I know if my removal was successful?

Wait 72 hours after receiving your confirmation email, then search for yourself on BeenVerified again. If your profile no longer appears, the removal was successful. Keep in mind you may need to repeat this process periodically as new data enters their system.

Creating a Comprehensive Privacy Strategy

Opting out of BeenVerified should be part of a broader privacy strategy, not a one-time action. Effective privacy protection requires ongoing vigilance and multiple layers of defense.

Start by identifying all the places your information appears online. Search for yourself on major people search sites, run Google searches for your name combined with your city or profession, and check social media for what's publicly visible.

Create a spreadsheet tracking which sites have your information and when you submitted removal requests. Set quarterly reminders to check these sites again and resubmit opt-outs when necessary.

Adjust your online behavior to minimize new data creation. Use privacy-focused search engines, enable tracking protection in your browser, regularly clear cookies, and carefully review privacy policies before signing up for new services.

For public records you can't avoid creating-like property ownership or business registrations-consider using structures like LLCs or trusts that provide some privacy protection while remaining legally compliant.

Take Action Today

Protecting your privacy is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Start by completing your BeenVerified opt-out using the steps above, then work through other major data brokers. Set reminders to periodically check if your information has reappeared.

For professionals who need to research others while respecting privacy-whether for due diligence, recruiting, or sales-using legitimate business tools designed for B2B purposes ensures you're accessing current, relevant information rather than the potentially stale data aggregated by consumer people search sites.

Your privacy matters. Taking 15 minutes today to opt out of BeenVerified is a small investment that protects your personal information from being easily searchable by anyone with an internet connection. Don't wait-start the process now and take back control of your digital footprint.