How to Remove Yourself from IDTrue

If you've ever searched for your name online and found a detailed profile complete with your address, phone number, relatives, and even past addresses, you've likely encountered IDTrue. This data broker operates in the shadows of the internet, aggregating personal information from public records and selling access to anyone willing to pay. While IDTrue markets itself as a "people search" service for reconnecting with old friends or verifying identities, the reality is that your sensitive information sits exposed on their platform, accessible to marketers, scammers, stalkers, and identity thieves. Understanding how to remove yourself from IDTrue is a critical step in protecting your digital privacy.

What is IDTrue and Why Your Data is There

IDTrue is a people search engine and data broker that compiles extensive profiles on millions of Americans. The company aggregates information from public records, court documents, property records, voter registrations, social media profiles, and other data brokers to create comprehensive dossiers on individuals. These profiles are then made searchable and available for purchase to anyone who visits their website.

Unlike some data brokers that primarily serve businesses, IDTrue operates as a consumer-facing search engine. This means your personal information isn't just buried in marketing databases—it's actively searchable by anyone with an internet connection and a few dollars to spend on a report.

Your data ends up on IDTrue through several channels:

• Public records: Birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, property deeds, and voter registration files are all public information that IDTrue scrapes and indexes
• Court documents: Civil and criminal court filings, bankruptcy records, and liens become part of your profile
• Data broker partnerships: IDTrue purchases bulk data from other aggregators and information resellers
• Social media scraping: Publicly available information from Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms gets incorporated into profiles
• Commercial transactions: Magazine subscriptions, warranty registrations, and loyalty programs often sell or share customer data

The concerning aspect of IDTrue is how it connects disparate pieces of information into a single, comprehensive profile. While each individual data point might seem harmless, the aggregated picture can reveal patterns about your life, relationships, finances, and daily routines—information that has real value to those with malicious intent.

Step-by-Step IDTrue Removal Process

Removing your information from IDTrue requires following their opt-out procedure carefully. The process is intentionally cumbersome, as data brokers profit from keeping your information listed. Here's the exact process to delete your IDTrue profile:

Step 1: Locate Your IDTrue Profile

Before you can request removal, you need to find the specific profile URL that IDTrue has created for you.

• Navigate to idtrue.com in your web browser
• Use the search function to look up your name, city, and state
• Browse through the search results to find profiles that match your information
• Click on the profile that appears to be yours
• Copy the complete URL from your browser's address bar—you'll need this exact link for the opt-out request

Important note: IDTrue may have multiple profiles for you, especially if you've lived in different cities or states. You'll need to repeat the removal process for each separate profile.

Step 2: Access the Opt-Out Page

IDTrue doesn't make their removal process easy to find, but here's the direct path:

• Navigate to www.idtrue.com/optout (the opt-out page is not linked from their main navigation)
• Alternatively, scroll to the very bottom of the IDTrue homepage and look for a small "Privacy" or "Opt Out" link in the footer

Step 3: Submit Your Removal Request

Once you're on the opt-out page, you'll need to provide specific information:

• Paste the full profile URL you copied in Step 1 into the designated field
• Enter your email address—use a dedicated privacy email if you're concerned about receiving marketing messages
• Complete any CAPTCHA verification to prove you're not a bot
• Check the box confirming you're the person listed in the profile or an authorized representative
• Click the "Submit" or "Remove My Information" button

Step 4: Verify Your Email Address

IDTrue requires email verification before processing removal requests:

• Check your email inbox for a message from IDTrue (subject line typically includes "opt-out" or "removal request")
• Click the verification link within the email—this must be done within 72 hours or the request expires
• You should see a confirmation page stating your request has been received

Step 5: Document Your Request

For your records and potential future disputes:

• Take a screenshot of the confirmation page
• Save the confirmation email
• Note the date you submitted the request
• Keep the original profile URL handy for verification later

Pro tip: Create a spreadsheet tracking all your data broker removal requests, including the broker name, submission date, profile URL, and confirmation details. This becomes invaluable when managing removals across dozens of sites.

What Information IDTrue Collects and Displays

Understanding the scope of data IDTrue holds on you helps illustrate why removal is so important. A typical IDTrue profile can include:

Personal identifiers:

• Full name and known aliases
• Current and previous addresses (often going back decades)
• Age and date of birth
• Phone numbers (landline and mobile)
• Email addresses

Relationship data:

• Names of relatives and family members
• Possible associates and neighbors
• Social network connections

Financial indicators:

• Estimated income range
• Property ownership records
• Home value estimates
• Bankruptcy filings and liens

Background information:

• Education history
• Possible employers
• Criminal records (if any exist)
• Traffic violations and court cases

Location data:

• Geographic coordinates of past residences
• Neighborhood demographics
• Maps showing exact property locations

This aggregated information creates a detailed picture that goes far beyond what most people realize is publicly available. The combination of data points can reveal patterns about your lifestyle, financial situation, and personal relationships—all accessible to anyone willing to pay IDTrue's fee.

The privacy implications extend beyond personal discomfort. This information enables targeted scams (fraudsters can reference your relatives' names to seem legitimate), stalking (precise address history with dates), identity theft (enough information to answer security questions), and discrimination (employers or landlords making decisions based on inferred data).

How Long IDTrue Removal Takes

The timeline for IDTrue removal varies, but here's what to expect:

Immediate to 48 hours: Email verification link is sent after submitting your opt-out request. You must click this link within 72 hours or start over.

5 to 10 business days: IDTrue's stated processing time for removal requests after email verification. During this period, your profile should be removed from their searchable database.

2 to 4 weeks: The realistic timeframe for complete removal, including cache clearing and propagation across IDTrue's systems.

30+ days: In some cases, particularly if IDTrue's systems are backlogged or if there are technical issues, removal can take longer.

However, there's a significant caveat that many people don't realize: removal from IDTrue is not permanent. Data brokers continuously refresh their databases with new information from public records and other sources. Your information can reappear on IDTrue within months, requiring you to submit another removal request.

This cycle of removal and reappearance is one of the most frustrating aspects of managing your data privacy. IDTrue and similar brokers operate on a business model that depends on comprehensive data coverage. While they comply with opt-out requests to satisfy legal requirements (particularly under state privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act), they have no incentive to prevent your data from being re-added when they purchase new data sets or scrape updated public records.

Factors that can delay removal:

• Submitting incomplete information or incorrect profile URLs
• Failing to click the email verification link within the required timeframe
• Multiple profiles under slight name variations requiring separate requests
• System backlogs during periods of high opt-out volume
• Technical issues with IDTrue's removal processing system

How to Verify Your IDTrue Removal

After the stated processing period, you should confirm that your information has actually been removed. Data brokers don't always follow through completely, and technical glitches can occur.

Verification Method 1: Direct Search

• Return to idtrue.com after the processing period has elapsed
• Search for your name, city, and state again
• Look through results to confirm your profile no longer appears
• Try variations of your name (with middle initial, without middle name, etc.)
• Search using previous addresses if you've moved recently

Verification Method 2: Check the Original URL

• Navigate directly to the profile URL you saved during the removal process
• The page should display an error message, "Profile Not Found," or redirect to the homepage
• If the profile still loads with your information, the removal was not completed

Verification Method 3: Use Private Browsing

Data brokers sometimes show different results based on cookies and browsing history:

• Open an incognito or private browsing window
• Navigate to IDTrue and search for yourself
• This ensures you're seeing the same results that others would see

Verification Method 4: Search from Different Devices

• Check from a mobile device on cellular data (not your home WiFi)
• Ask a trusted friend to search for you from their device
• This helps confirm the removal is complete across IDTrue's infrastructure

If your information still appears after the stated processing time:

• Submit another removal request using the current profile URL
• Send a follow-up email to IDTrue's privacy contact (typically found in their privacy policy)
• Reference the CCPA (if you're a California resident) or relevant state privacy law
• Document all communications in case you need to file a complaint with your state attorney general

Keep in mind that cached versions of your profile may persist in search engines like Google even after IDTrue removes it. These cached pages will eventually expire, but you can also request removal directly from Google using their outdated content removal tool.

Preventing Future IDTrue Listings

Since IDTrue and other data brokers continuously update their databases, a single removal is rarely permanent. Here are strategies to minimize your exposure and slow the rate at which your information reappears:

Limit Public Record Exposure

While you can't prevent all public records, you can reduce your footprint:

• Use a PO Box or commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA) for official correspondence instead of your home address when possible
• Register to vote using address confidentiality programs if you're a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or other crimes (most states offer these programs)
• Consider forming an LLC or trust to hold property, which can shield your personal name from property records
• Opt out of phone directories like WhitePages, 411, and others that feed data to brokers

Reduce Digital Footprint

Your online activities contribute to data broker profiles:

• Review social media privacy settings and limit what's publicly visible
• Remove old social media accounts you no longer use
• Use privacy-focused email addresses for public-facing communications
• Avoid loyalty programs and contests that require extensive personal information
• Read privacy policies before sharing information with websites and apps

Monitor and Maintain

Data privacy requires ongoing attention:

• Set calendar reminders to check IDTrue and other major brokers quarterly
• Google yourself regularly to see what information is publicly accessible
• Sign up for breach notifications through services like Have I Been Pwned
• Review your credit reports annually for signs of unauthorized accounts

Understand Privacy Law Protections

Several state laws provide legal backing for removal requests:

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): California residents have the right to request deletion of personal information held by businesses. Data brokers must comply with verified requests within 45 days.

Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA): Effective January 2023, Virginia residents can request deletion of personal data.

Colorado Privacy Act (CPA): Colorado residents gained similar rights in 2023.

Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA): Connecticut residents have deletion rights as of 2023.

When submitting removal requests, explicitly reference these laws if you're a resident of these states. Data brokers are more likely to prioritize requests that cite specific legal obligations.

The Reality Check

Even with diligent effort, completely erasing yourself from data broker databases is nearly impossible. IDTrue is just one of hundreds of data brokers operating in the United States. The Data Broker Accountability and Transparency Act, proposed in Congress, identified over 4,000 data brokers in the ecosystem. Major brokers alone include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, Intelius, PeopleFinders, TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, and dozens more—each requiring separate opt-out procedures.

The manual removal process is time-consuming: if it takes 15 minutes per broker and you target just 100 sites, that's 25 hours of work. And because data reappears, you'll need to repeat this process every few months indefinitely.

This is where automated solutions become practical. Services like GhostMyData monitor 2,100+ data brokers—far more than the 35-500 covered by competing services—and handle removals automatically using AI agents that understand each broker's unique opt-out process.

Alternative: Use GhostMyData for Automated Removal

While the manual process outlined above works for removing yourself from IDTrue, it's just one broker among thousands. The reality of data privacy in 2024 is that maintaining your privacy requires continuous, systematic effort across hundreds of platforms.

GhostMyData offers a comprehensive alternative:

How the Service Works

GhostMyData uses 24 specialized AI agents to automate the data removal process across 2,100+ data brokers. Here's what makes it different:

Comprehensive coverage: While competitors typically cover 35-500 brokers, GhostMyData monitors more than 2,100 sites, including IDTrue and hundreds of lesser-known brokers that most people never discover on their own.

Continuous monitoring: Rather than one-time removal, the service continuously scans for your information and submits new removal requests when your data reappears (which it inevitably does).

AI-powered automation: Each data broker has unique opt-out procedures, forms, and verification processes. GhostMyData's AI agents understand these variations and handle submissions automatically.

Verification and follow-up: The system doesn't just submit requests—it verifies removal and follows up when brokers don't comply.

Getting Started

The process is straightforward:

• Start with a free scan to see how many brokers currently list your information
• Review the detailed report showing where your data appears
• Choose a plan based on your privacy needs (view pricing options)
• The AI agents begin working immediately, submitting removal requests on your behalf
• Track progress through your dashboard as profiles are removed

Who Benefits Most

Automated data removal makes sense for:

• Professionals whose online presence affects their career (executives, public figures, healthcare workers)
• Privacy-conscious individuals who want comprehensive protection without spending dozens of hours on manual removals
• Victims of harassment or stalking who need their information removed quickly and kept offline
• People who've experienced identity theft and want to reduce their exposure to future incidents
• Anyone who values their time and recognizes that manual removal across hundreds of sites isn't sustainable

The Math on DIY vs. Automated

Consider the time investment:

• Manual removal from 100 brokers: 25+ hours initially, then 25+ hours every 3-6 months as data reappears
• Annual time investment: 50-100+ hours
• Brokers you'll miss: Hundreds of smaller sites you've never heard of

Compare this to automated removal:

• Setup time: 10-15 minutes
• Ongoing time: Zero—the system works continuously
• Coverage: 2,100+ brokers including obscure sites

For most people, the time saved in the first year alone justifies the investment. Learn more about how it works or compare GhostMyData to other services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IDTrue removal really free?

Yes, IDTrue provides a free opt-out process as required by various state privacy laws, particularly the CCPA. You should never have to pay IDTrue to remove your information. However, the process is manual, time-consuming, and temporary—your information will likely reappear within months as they refresh their database with new public records and data purchases.

Can I remove someone else's information from IDTrue?

IDTrue's opt-out process requires email verification, which means you need access to an email address to confirm the removal request. You can submit a request on behalf of a family member if they authorize you to do so, but you'll need to use their email for verification. Parents can typically remove information about minor children. For deceased relatives, you may need to contact IDTrue directly with proof of death and your relationship to the deceased.

Why does my information keep coming back to IDTrue?

Data brokers like IDTrue continuously purchase new data from other brokers, scrape updated public records, and refresh their databases from various sources. When you remove your information, you're only deleting the current profile—you're not preventing IDTrue from acquiring your information again in future data purchases. This is why privacy experts recommend continuous monitoring rather than one-time removal, and why many people eventually turn to automated solutions that handle ongoing removals.

Does removing myself from IDTrue affect my credit score?

No, removing your information from IDTrue has no impact on your credit score. IDTrue is a people search engine and data broker, not a credit reporting agency.