How to Opt Out of BeenVerified, Intelius, and People Search Sites

BeenVerified and Intelius represent the next tier of data brokers you need to tackle after Whitepages and Spokeo. These companies operate multiple brands and make their opt-out processes intentionally complex to discourage people from completing them. BeenVerified alone operates PeopleLooker, NeighborWho, and Omo, while Intelius runs USSearch, Publicrecords.com, and several other sites. This chapter provides detailed instructions for removing your information from these networks and other major people search sites, including the tricks they use and how to overcome them.

What makes these sites particularly challenging is their verification requirements and the tendency to spread your information across their network of sites. You might successfully remove your data from BeenVerified.com only to find it still available on PeopleLooker.com. We'll show you how to identify all related sites, remove your information comprehensively, and verify that it stays removed. By the end of this chapter, you'll have eliminated your presence from dozens of interconnected data broker sites.

Understanding the BeenVerified Network

BeenVerified has built a sprawling empire of people search sites that share data but require separate opt-out requests. The main BeenVerified.com site gets the most traffic, but their other properties like PeopleLooker, NeighborWho, and Omo often rank well in search results too. Each site has a slightly different interface and target audience, but they all tap into the same massive database of personal information.

What makes BeenVerified particularly invasive is their aggressive marketing to suspicious spouses, worried parents, and nosy neighbors. They explicitly encourage people to run "background checks" on dates, babysitters, and anyone else in their lives. Their reports include criminal records, financial indicators, social media profiles, and contact information. The ease of access – just a credit card and no verification of purpose – makes these sites favorite tools for stalkers and harassers.

The company constantly launches new brands to evade bad reviews and removal requests. By the time people figure out how to remove their information from one site, BeenVerified has launched two new ones. They also use different company names for billing and support, making it difficult to understand the connections. This deliberate obfuscation is designed to make comprehensive removal as difficult as possible.

BeenVerified Removal Process: Main Site

Start by visiting beenverified.com and searching for yourself using their search tool. Don't create an account or provide payment information – you're just identifying which records belong to you. BeenVerified will show a preview of available information and try to get you to pay for a full report. Ignore these prompts and focus on confirming whether the listed age and locations match you.

Navigate to beenverified.com/opt-out (this URL often changes, so you may need to search for "BeenVerified opt out" if it doesn't work). You'll see a form asking for your first name, last name, middle initial, city, state, and age range. Fill this out accurately – they use this information to locate your records in their system. Complete any CAPTCHA challenges.

After submitting the initial form, BeenVerified will show you potential matches from their database. Review each result carefully and select only the records that actually belong to you. Be cautious here – selecting records that aren't yours could inadvertently link unrelated information to your profile. Click to select your records and proceed to the next step.

Now comes the frustrating part: BeenVerified requires email verification. Enter your email address (use your dedicated privacy email) and click to send the verification link. Check your email immediately, including spam folders. The email usually arrives within minutes with the subject "Verify Your BeenVerified Opt-Out Request" or similar.

Click the verification link in the email. This takes you back to BeenVerified's site where you'll need to complete additional verification. They often require phone verification at this stage. If possible, use a Google Voice number rather than your primary phone. Enter the number and wait for their automated call or text with a verification code.

After entering the verification code, you'll finally reach a confirmation page. This page should list the records that will be removed. Screenshot this page immediately – BeenVerified doesn't always send confirmation emails, and you'll need proof of your opt-out request. The page should indicate that removal will take 24-48 hours, though it often takes longer.

Removing Information from BeenVerified's Sister Sites

Here's where it gets tricky: removing your information from BeenVerified.com doesn't automatically remove it from their other sites. You'll need to repeat the process for PeopleLooker, NeighborWho, and Omo. Each site has its own opt-out process, though they're similar to the main BeenVerified site.

For PeopleLooker, visit peoplelooker.com/opt-out. The process mirrors BeenVerified's: search for yourself, select your records, verify via email, and possibly phone verification. The same tips apply – use dedicated privacy contact information and screenshot everything. PeopleLooker sometimes requires additional verification steps, including answering questions about your past addresses.

NeighborWho (neighborwho.com) focuses on address-based searches, making it particularly invasive for privacy. Their opt-out process is at neighborwho.com/opt-out. This site often has duplicate records if you've lived at multiple addresses, so be thorough in selecting all records that belong to you. Each address might require a separate opt-out request.

Omo (omo.com) is BeenVerified's attempt at a more modern, social-media-integrated people search. Visit omo.com/opt-out to remove your information. This site sometimes pulls in social media profiles and photos, making removal especially important if you're trying to separate your online personas.

The Intelius Network and How to Navigate It

Intelius operates differently from BeenVerified, maintaining several distinct brands that don't always share opt-out requests. The main sites include Intelius.com, USSearch.com, Publicrecords.com, LookUpAnyone.com, and iSearch.com. Each requires separate removal requests, and they use different verification methods.

Start with the main Intelius site. Visit intelius.com and search for yourself to identify your listings. Intelius shows more preview information than some competitors, including partial addresses and phone numbers. This makes it easier to confirm which records are yours without paying for a report.

Navigate to intelius.com/opt-out to begin removal. Intelius's process is somewhat more straightforward than BeenVerified's. Enter your name and state, then select your record from the results. They require email verification but typically don't demand phone verification for standard removals. Enter your email and wait for the verification link.

The Intelius confirmation process is relatively quick. After clicking the email verification link, you're usually done. They claim removal takes 48-72 hours, and in most cases, they stick to this timeline. Screenshot the confirmation page and save any emails they send. Intelius is better about sending confirmation emails than BeenVerified.

Tackling Intelius's Other Properties

USSearch.com was one of the original people search sites and still ranks well for many names. Visit ussearch.com/opt-out to remove your information. The process is similar to Intelius but requires separate verification. USSearch sometimes has older records that don't appear on Intelius, especially if you've moved frequently or changed names.

Publicrecords.com focuses on official government records and court documents. Their opt-out is at publicrecords.com/opt-out. This site often has the most detailed information about legal matters, property records, and licenses. While they can't remove actual public records, they can remove their aggregated profiles about you.

LookUpAnyone.com and iSearch.com are smaller properties in the Intelius network but still require attention. Visit lookupanyone.com/opt-out and isearch.com/opt-out respectively. These sites sometimes have different information or rank for different search terms, making comprehensive removal important.

Other Major People Search Sites to Address

Beyond the BeenVerified and Intelius networks, several independent people search sites require your attention. TruePeopleSearch.com and FastPeopleSearch.com offer completely free access to personal information, making them particularly dangerous. Fortunately, their removal processes are also simpler than the paid sites.

For TruePeopleSearch, visit truepeoplesearch.com and find your listing. At the bottom of your record page, click "Remove My Info." This takes you to a simple form where you confirm the record and complete a CAPTCHA. No email or phone verification required. Removal typically happens within 24-48 hours. This is one of the easiest removals you'll encounter.

FastPeopleSearch.com works similarly. Find your record and look for the "Remove My Info" link. Complete their simple form and CAPTCHA. Like TruePeopleSearch, they don't require extensive verification. Both sites deserve credit for making removal straightforward, even though their business model of giving away information for free is problematic.

Advanced Removal Techniques for Stubborn Sites

Some people search sites make their opt-out processes so difficult that standard methods fail. For these cases, you need advanced techniques. First, try using different browsers or clearing cookies between attempts. Some sites use cookies to track failed attempts and block repeated tries. An incognito/private window can sometimes bypass these restrictions.

If email verification links don't arrive, check whether the site has your email domain blocked. Some data brokers block privacy-focused email providers. Try using a mainstream provider like Gmail or Outlook for verification. Create a dedicated account just for opt-outs if needed. You can delete this account after completing all removals.

For sites that demand extensive verification or claim they can't find your records, send formal legal requests. Email their support or legal teams with a clear subject line like "Formal Opt-Out Request Under [Your State] Privacy Law." Include your full name, the URLs of your listings, and a statement exercising your privacy rights. Attach screenshots of your listings as evidence.

Phone Verification Workarounds

Many people search sites require phone verification, creating a privacy paradox – you must provide personal information to remove personal information. Here are strategies to handle this requirement while minimizing additional exposure.

Google Voice remains the best option for most people. It's free, works with most verification systems, and keeps your real number private. Set up a Google Voice number specifically for privacy-related tasks. Some sites have started blocking VoIP numbers, but Google Voice still works with most data brokers.

If Google Voice fails, consider temporary phone number services like TextNow or Sideline. These provide real phone numbers that can receive SMS messages. Some are free with ads, others charge a small fee. Use these numbers only for verification, then abandon them. Never use these temporary numbers for important accounts like banking or email.

As a last resort, you might need to use a real phone number. If so, use a secondary number rather than your primary one. Consider getting a cheap prepaid phone specifically for privacy-related verifications. This keeps your main number out of data broker databases while still allowing you to complete stubborn verifications.

Dealing with Verification Questions

Some sites, particularly those in the BeenVerified network, ask detailed verification questions about your past. These might include previous addresses, people you've lived with, or age ranges of relatives. This creates another privacy paradox – proving your identity by confirming the very information you're trying to remove.

Answer these questions accurately but minimally. If they ask for previous addresses, provide only what's necessary to verify your identity. Don't volunteer additional information. If you can't remember exact details, make your best guess – the systems usually allow some margin for error.

Be aware that incorrect answers might flag your request as suspicious, leading to demands for additional documentation. If this happens, don't provide sensitive documents like driver's licenses unless absolutely necessary. Instead, try contacting their support team to explain the situation and request alternative verification.

Documentation and Follow-Up Strategies

Maintaining detailed records of your opt-out requests is crucial for several reasons. First, many sites don't send confirmation emails, so your screenshots might be the only proof of your request. Second, when information reappears (and it will), you'll need documentation to show you previously opted out. Third, if you need to escalate to legal action, documentation is essential.

Create a dedicated folder structure for your opt-out documentation. Organize by company network (BeenVerified folder with subfolders for each sister site, Intelius folder with its properties, etc.). Name files descriptively: "BeenVerified_OptOut_Confirmation_2024-01-15.png" is better than "screenshot1.png."

Set calendar reminders to check each site 7 days after your opt-out request. If your information is still visible, check your documentation and contact their support. Reference your confirmation number or screenshot. Most sites will expedite removal when you can prove you already opted out. Set additional reminders for 30, 60, and 90 days to ensure removals stick.

Time Investment and Realistic Expectations

Removing your information from the BeenVerified network (main site plus sister sites) typically takes 45-60 minutes of active work. The multiple verification steps and need to address each site separately add up quickly. Budget extra time for dealing with verification issues or technical problems.

The Intelius network is slightly faster, usually requiring 30-45 minutes total. Their more straightforward verification process helps, though addressing all their properties still takes time. The independent sites like TruePeopleSearch and FastPeopleSearch are much quicker – often just 5 minutes each.

Realistically, addressing all the sites in this chapter will take 2-3 hours spread across several days. You'll need to wait for verification emails, possibly receive phone calls, and check back to confirm removals. This seems like a significant time investment, but consider the alternative – your personal information remains available to anyone willing to pay a few dollars.

Quick Wins You Can Do in 5 Minutes

Start with TruePeopleSearch and FastPeopleSearch right now. These sites have the simplest removal processes and provide immediate satisfaction. Search for yourself on both sites, click the removal links, and submit the forms. No complex verification required. Within 48 hours, your information will disappear from two sites that give it away for free.

While you're motivated, create a dedicated email address for privacy opt-outs if you haven't already. Use ProtonMail, Tutanota, or another privacy-focused provider. Name it something like "[email protected]" to keep it professional. This small step protects your primary email while giving you a centralized place for opt-out correspondence.

Open your calendar and create a recurring monthly reminder to check major people search sites. Title it "Privacy Check: Search for My Name" and include links to the main sites. This five-minute setup ensures you'll catch any reappearing information quickly. Regular monitoring is much easier than massive cleanup efforts every few years.

What Success Looks Like

After successfully removing your information from these major people search sites, you'll notice immediate improvements. Searches for your name will return fewer results showing your personal information. The remaining results might be your actual social media profiles or professional pages – things you control rather than data broker listings.

Your phone will likely receive fewer spam calls and texts. Many telemarketers and scammers use these people search sites to build contact lists. With your information removed, you're no longer an easy target. Similarly, you might notice a decrease in junk mail and email spam as marketers lose easy access to your contact information.

Most importantly, you've significantly reduced your vulnerability to serious privacy threats. Stalkers, identity thieves, and other bad actors typically start with these easy-access people search sites. By removing your information, you've forced them to work much harder to find you. While determined adversaries might still locate some information, you've eliminated the low-hanging fruit that enables most privacy violations.

Remember that this is an ongoing process. New people search sites launch regularly, and existing ones refresh their data from various sources. Your information might reappear, especially after major life events like moving or changing jobs. But now you have the knowledge and skills to address these sites efficiently. Each removal gets easier as you develop a system and build confidence in asserting your privacy rights.

In the next chapter, we'll shift focus from removing existing information to preventing future data collection through browser privacy settings. While opt-outs address past exposure, configuring your browser properly helps prevent new information from entering the data broker ecosystem.