What is BeenVerified and Why Opt Out?
BeenVerified is an online data broker that aggregates and sells personal information about individuals to anyone willing to pay for it. Their database contains sensitive details like full names, ages, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, criminal records, and more.
If you value your privacy, opting out of BeenVerified is critical to prevent others from accessing your data without consent. Removing your info helps protect against threats like:
- Identity theft
- Stalking and harassment
- Doxxing
- Spam and robocalls
- Phishing scams
- Reputation damage
As a people search site, BeenVerified claims their service is meant for harmless purposes like finding lost friends. But in reality, they don’t vet customers or restrict malicious use of personal data.
For more comparisons of BeenVerified to other people search sites, check out our BeenVerified vs. PeopleFinders and BeenVerified vs. Spokeo articles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Opting Out of BeenVerified
Follow these 6 simple steps to complete a successful BeenVerified opt-out request:
- Go to the official BeenVerified Opt Out page.
- Enter your name and select your state, then click “Search.”
- Find your listing in the results. Review the details to verify it’s your record.
- Click the “Proceed to Opt Out” button next to your listing.
- On the next page, enter the email address where you want to receive a verification link. Complete the CAPTCHA.
- Check your inbox for an email from BeenVerified. Click the “Verify Opt-Out” button inside to confirm your request.
That’s it! After completing these steps, BeenVerified will process your opt-out within 72 hours. You’ll receive a final email notifying you when your listing has been removed.
Tips for a Smooth BeenVerified Opt-Out
- Use a dedicated email for data broker opt-outs to avoid exposing your primary address
- Be patient, as locating your listing among multiple results can take a few minutes
- If you have several listings, you’ll need to repeat the opt-out steps for each one
- Save your opt-out confirmation emails in case you need to follow up later
- Recheck BeenVerified after 2-3 weeks to ensure your listing doesn’t reappear
Alternative BeenVerified Opt-Out Methods
Besides using their online form, you can also submit opt-out requests to BeenVerified by phone or email:
Phone Opt-Out
Call BeenVerified’s customer support at 1-844-823-2869 from 6am-11:30pm EST daily. Provide your info to the agent and request to have your listing deleted. Note the name of the representative and date for your records.
Email Opt-Out
Send your opt-out request to privacy@beenverified.com. Include your full name, age, current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and listed relatives. Request to have your personal information removed from BeenVerified’s database.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to request the removal of my personal information from BeenVerified in accordance with my privacy rights. Please delete the listing associated with the following details:
Full Name: [Your Name]
Age: [Your Age]Current Address: [Your Current Address]
Phone Number: [Your Phone Number]Please confirm when my opt-out request has been processed. Thank you for your prompt assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
What Happens After Opting Out of BeenVerified?
BeenVerified stops selling your personal information and removes your listing from its website within a few days of receiving a verifiable consumer request. However, they may still retain your data internally for legal compliance purposes.
It’s important to realize that opting out doesn’t prevent your info from reappearing in BeenVerified’s database later on. Data brokers continuously scrape public records and online sources to re-populate their listings.
To stay off BeenVerified for good, you’ll need to check back and repeat the opt-out process every few months. Signing up for a paid removal service can help automate these follow-up opt-outs.
You may also want to opt out of other popular data brokers like CheckPeople, Nuwber, Veripages, Innovis, and CoreLogic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take BeenVerified to remove me?
BeenVerified typically processes opt-out requests within 24-72 hours. You will receive an email confirmation when your listing has been successfully removed.
Can I opt out of BeenVerified for free?
Yes, you can opt out of BeenVerified for free by following the steps on their opt-out page. There is no cost to remove your personal information from their database.
How do I remove a deceased relative from BeenVerified?
To remove a deceased relative from BeenVerified, follow the standard opt-out process and submit a request in their name. You may need to provide proof of your relationship to have the listing deleted.
Will opting out of BeenVerified remove me from other sites?
No, opting out of BeenVerified will not remove your information from any other data broker sites. You’ll need to submit separate opt-out requests to each additional site to be fully removed.
Does BeenVerified notify you if someone searched for you?
BeenVerified does not notify individuals when someone searches for them in its database. There’s no way to tell if a person or company looked up your BeenVerified listing.
Key Takeaways
- BeenVerified is a data broker that collects personal information and sells it online
- Opting out of BeenVerified helps protect your privacy and prevent misuse of your data
- You can remove your BeenVerified listing for free by submitting an opt-out request
- Opt-outs can be done online, by phone, or via email and take 24-72 hours to process
- Monitoring and repeat opt-outs are necessary to keep your information off the site
- Removing your info from BeenVerified doesn’t affect your presence on other data brokers
By following this guide, you can take control of your personal information on BeenVerified and enhance your online privacy. However, truly staying off people search sites requires ongoing effort and diligence in exercising your privacy rights.
