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: SharingOptOut@FICO.com
  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: privacy@epsilon.com (US), emeaprivacy@epsilon.com (EU/EEA), apac-privacy@epsilon.com (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: consumeradvo@acxiom.com (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: info@ameridex.com
  Address:
        Ameridex
        PO Box 193061
        San Francisco, CA
        94119-3051


BeenVerified
  http://www.beenverified.com/opt-out-instructions
  Opt-out by: Website or Email (privacy@beenverified.com)
  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: privacychoices@hartehanks.com


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: privacy@peoplesmart.com
  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: customerservice@locateplus.com
  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: privacy@phonedetective.com


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): customerservice@dnb.com (opt-out) or privacyofficer@dnb.com (inquiry)
  Email (EU): customerhelp@dnb.co.uk or EUDPO@dnb.com
  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: contentfeedback@infogroup.com
  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: customercare@rd.com
  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: cserv@suarez.com
  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 <griffin@cryptolab.net>


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