15 Immediate Privacy Actions
Do these today. Each one reduces your exposure to data brokers, hackers, and identity thieves.
Accounts & Passwords
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts
Email, banking, social media, cloud storage. Use an authenticator app (not SMS) for highest security.
Set up a password manager
Use Bitwarden, 1Password, or Apple Keychain. Generate unique 16+ character passwords for every account.
Check haveibeenpwned.com for breached accounts
Enter each of your email addresses. Change passwords immediately for any breached accounts.
Freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Free to freeze and unfreeze. Prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Digital Footprint
Google yourself
Search your full name, phone number, and address in quotes. See what's publicly visible.
Lock down social media privacy settings
Set profiles to private. Remove your phone number and address from profile fields. Disable location tagging.
Review app permissions on your phone
Revoke location, camera, microphone, and contacts access from apps that don't need them.
Opt out of Google ad personalization
Visit myaccount.google.com/data-and-privacy. Turn off ad personalization and delete your ad profile.
Communications
Use a masked email for online signups
Apple Hide My Email, SimpleLogin, or Firefox Relay. Keep your real address private.
Get a Google Voice number for forms and signups
Free VoIP number keeps your real phone number off data broker databases.
Unsubscribe from marketing emails
Use unroll.me or manually unsubscribe. Every marketing list you're on leaks your data to brokers.
Delete unused accounts
Old accounts get breached. Use justdelete.me to find deletion pages for services you no longer use.
Home & Physical
Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery
Free email previews of incoming mail. Alerts you to unauthorized address changes or credit applications.
Opt out at OptOutPrescreen.com
Stops pre-approved credit card and insurance offers. Reduces mail-based identity theft risk.
Use a PO Box or UPS Store address for online orders
Keeps your home address off shipping databases, which data brokers scrape.
Data Broker Opt-Out Instructions
Step-by-step removal instructions for 6 major data brokers. Each has a different process, different timeline, and different gotchas.
Radaris
- 1.Go to radaris.com and search for your listing
- 2.Click your profile, then click "Control Information"
- 3.You must create a Radaris account to submit a removal request
- 4.Fill out the removal form and submit
- 5.Wait for confirmation email and verify
Radaris has 10+ clone sites (CyberCheck, Centeda, etc.) that need separate opt-outs. Your data re-appears within 30–60 days.
Spokeo
- 1.Search spokeo.com for your listing
- 2.Copy the full URL of your profile page
- 3.Go to spokeo.com/optout
- 4.Paste the URL and enter your email
- 5.Click the confirmation link sent to your email
Spokeo syndicates data to partner sites. Removing from Spokeo doesn't remove from syndicated copies.
Whitepages
- 1.Search whitepages.com for your listing
- 2.Copy your profile URL
- 3.Go to whitepages.com/suppression-requests
- 4.Paste your profile URL and submit
- 5.Complete automated phone call verification
Whitepages Premium is a separate product — you need a separate opt-out for that. Phone verification can be tricky with VoIP numbers.
Intelius
- 1.Search intelius.com for your record
- 2.Copy the record URL
- 3.Go to intelius.com/opt-out
- 4.Submit your opt-out request with profile URL
- 5.Wait for confirmation email
Intelius owns 16+ sites including Zabasearch, InstantCheckmate, TruthFinder, and AnyWho. Each requires a separate opt-out.
BeenVerified
- 1.Search beenverified.com for your listing
- 2.Go to beenverified.com/app/optout/search
- 3.Search for and select your record
- 4.Verify your identity via email
- 5.Submit the opt-out form
BeenVerified owns 7+ sites (NeighborWho, Ownerly, PeopleLooker, PeopleSmart, NumberGuru, etc.) — each needs a separate opt-out.
LexisNexis
- 1.Download the Consumer Data Request Form from consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com
- 2.Fill out the form with your personal details
- 3.Attach a copy of your government-issued photo ID
- 4.Include proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
- 5.Mail or fax the completed form to LexisNexis
Requires government ID and proof of address. Processing takes up to 30 days. They may request additional verification.
Device Security Settings Checklist
Platform-by-platform settings to lock down your devices. Click to expand each section.
iPhone / iPad6 settings
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Toggle off "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Set apps to "While Using" or "Never"
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics → Turn off "Share iPhone Analytics"
- Settings → Safari → Turn on "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" and "Hide IP Address"
- Settings → Mail → Privacy Protection → Turn on "Protect Mail Activity"
- Settings → Apple ID → Find My → Enable "Find My iPhone"
Android6 settings
- Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Review Location, Camera, Microphone access
- Settings → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID
- Settings → Location → App Location Permissions → Set to "Ask Every Time"
- Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
- Settings → Security → Enable "Find My Device"
- Settings → Privacy → Usage & Diagnostics → Turn off
Mac5 settings
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Disable for unnecessary apps
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics → Uncheck all sharing options
- Safari → Settings → Privacy → Check "Prevent cross-site tracking"
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault → Turn on (encrypts your disk)
- System Settings → Network → Firewall → Turn on
Windows5 settings
- Settings → Privacy & Security → General → Turn off all advertising-related toggles
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics → Set to "Required" only
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Activity History → Turn off
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Location → Turn off for apps that don't need it
- Settings → Update & Security → Device Encryption → Turn on (if available)
Browser (Chrome / Firefox / Safari)6 settings
- Enable "Do Not Track" request in browser settings
- Block third-party cookies (Chrome → Settings → Privacy → Third-party cookies)
- Install uBlock Origin extension for ad and tracker blocking
- Use Private/Incognito mode when researching sensitive topics
- Clear browsing data (cookies, cached images) monthly
- Disable autofill for addresses and payment methods on shared devices
Home Router6 settings
- Change the default admin password (printed on the router label)
- Enable WPA3 encryption (or WPA2-AES if WPA3 isn't available)
- Disable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) — it's a known security hole
- Change the default network name (SSID) to something that doesn't identify you
- Enable automatic firmware updates (or check monthly)
- Set up a guest network for IoT devices (smart TVs, cameras, thermostats)
Identity Theft Prevention Tips
10 concrete steps to reduce your risk of identity theft.
Freeze credit at all 6 bureaus
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion + Innovis, NCTUE, ChexSystems. The extra 3 cover utilities, telecom, and banking.
Set up fraud alerts
Place an initial fraud alert at any one bureau — it propagates to all three. Requires creditors to verify your identity before opening accounts.
Monitor bank and credit card statements weekly
Look for small test charges ($1–5). Thieves verify stolen cards with micro-transactions before making large purchases.
Use virtual credit card numbers for online shopping
Capital One Eno, Citi Virtual, or Privacy.com. Limits exposure if a merchant gets breached.
Shred documents with personal information
Bank statements, medical bills, pre-approved credit offers. Cross-cut shredders are best.
Never give your SSN unless legally required
Doctors, dentists, and landlords often ask but rarely need it. Ask what happens if you decline.
File your taxes early
Tax identity theft is common — thieves file fraudulent returns to collect your refund. Filing first blocks them.
Set up USPS Informed Delivery
Free service that emails you images of incoming mail. Alerts you to checks, credit cards, or government mail you didn't expect.
Request free annual credit reports
AnnualCreditReport.com — one free report per bureau per year. Stagger them quarterly for year-round monitoring.
Use dark web monitoring
Services like GhostMyData scan breach databases and dark web forums for your email, SSN, and credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many data brokers have my personal information?
The average American appears on 1,500+ data broker and people-search sites. These include people-search sites like Spokeo and Whitepages, background check services, marketing databases, and professional B2B platforms. Each sells or shares your name, address, phone, email, relatives, and more.
Can I opt out of data brokers myself?
Yes, but it's extremely time-consuming. Each broker has a different opt-out process — some require phone verification, others need government ID. Most re-add your data within 30–90 days from public records. Manually maintaining opt-outs across 1,500+ sites is a part-time job.
How long does data broker removal take?
Processing times vary: 3 days (Spokeo) to 45 days (enterprise brokers like LexisNexis). Under CCPA/GDPR, brokers are legally required to honor removal requests within 30–45 days. Automated services like GhostMyData track deadlines and follow up automatically.
Will my data come back after I opt out?
Usually yes. Data brokers pull from public records (voter rolls, property records, court filings) and re-add your information every 30–90 days. Continuous monitoring and re-removal is essential — this is the main reason people use automated services instead of manual opt-outs.
What information do data brokers sell about me?
Full name, current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, age, relatives, neighbors, property records, court records, estimated income, political affiliations, and more. Premium brokers also sell background check data including criminal records and employment history.
Is this checklist really free?
Yes, completely free. You can follow every step on this page without paying anything. We created it because everyone deserves to know how to protect their privacy. If you want to automate the data broker opt-outs, GhostMyData scans 1,500+ sites and handles removals for you — but the checklist itself is free to use.