NEWYou now have the option to listen to articles from various sources!
The recent tragic events in Minnesota serve as a somber reminder for all Americans to pause and take action. The individual who attacked lawmakers utilized people search websites to locate his victims’ home addresses before carrying out the deadly assaults. A handwritten notebook found in his vehicle contained a list of 11 data broker sites, along with notes on which were free and what personal data they displayed.
These sites, such as TruePeopleSearch, Spokeo, Pipl, and others, also hold your information and sell it to anyone with a credit card.
Sign up for the FREE CyberGuy Report
Receive top tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals directly to your inbox. Plus, get instant access to the Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you subscribe to the CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.
YOUR HEALTH DATA IS BEING SOLD WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT
A woman looking at her smartphone and typing on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Which major data broker websites are tracking you?
The data broker industry, valued at $200 billion, consists of over 4,000 companies globally. Some major players include Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, Acxiom, Epsilon, CoreLogic, Spokeo, and others.
What personal information data brokers collect about you
These companies compile detailed profiles containing information like your name, address, phone number, email, age, and more. This data is gathered from various sources including public records, social media, and smartphone location tracking.
A woman typing on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The real dangers of data brokers: Privacy, scams, and identity theft
Data brokers pose serious risks to your finances, safety, and overall quality of life. These risks include financial fraud, physical safety threats, healthcare scams, social discrimination, and unwanted spam calls.
The DIY challenge: Opting out of data brokers
Removing your information from data broker sites can be a daunting task due to the sheer number of sites and the persistence of reappearing information. Privacy experts suggest that handling major data brokers alone can take 10 to 15 hours, plus ongoing monitoring.
How to manually remove your data from people search sites
If you choose to manage your data removal manually, follow these steps: search for companies with your data, visit each website, locate their opt-out procedures, submit removal requests, follow up on ignored requests, and monitor for reappearing information.
A woman looking at her personal data on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The smart solution: Let a personal data removal service handle it
If managing data removal on your own seems overwhelming, consider using a professional data removal service. These services can identify companies with your information, send opt-out requests, follow up on responses, monitor for reappearance of data, and provide regular updates on progress.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
While no service can guarantee complete data removal from the internet, a data removal service is a smart choice to protect your privacy effectively. These services actively monitor and erase personal information from hundreds of websites, reducing the risk of scammers targeting you.
Visit Cyberguy.com/Delete for top picks for data removal services and a free scan to check if your personal information is exposed online.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan
Kurt’s key takeaways
Data brokers have amassed extensive data on individuals, making it challenging to manage alone. Protecting your privacy is crucial not only for personal security but also for safeguarding your identity and peace of mind.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Share your thoughts on whether the government should do more to regulate data brokers by contacting us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
Sign up for the FREE CyberGuy Report
Receive top tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals directly to your inbox. Plus, get instant access to the Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you subscribe to the CYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
