If you’ve ever searched for your name or phone number online, you may have been surprised to find your personal information listed on websites like NumLookup. These data broker sites collect and sell your sensitive data, potentially exposing you to privacy risks like spam calls, identity theft, and online stalking.
The good news is you can opt out of NumLookup and get your info removed. The process takes just 5-15 minutes by filling out their online opt-out form. However, your data may reappear in the future, so it’s important to regularly check and repeat the removal process every few months.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to opt out of NumLookup and provide tips to protect your data privacy online. Let’s dive in!
What is NumLookup?
NumLookup is a reverse phone lookup service that allows anyone to search for the owner of a phone number. By entering a phone number into their search tool, users can access personal information like:
- Full name
- Home address
- Email address
- Social media profiles
- Family members and associates
For a detailed look at NumLookup’s features and pricing, check out this in-depth review.
NumLookup claims to have data on almost every US consumer and business phone number. They obtain this information by scraping public records, marketing databases, social media, and other data brokers. Then they aggregate and sell access to this data.
While this is technically legal, it presents serious privacy risks. With just your phone number, a stranger could access enough info to cyberstalk you, scam you over the phone, or even steal your identity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Your Info from NumLookup
Opting out of NumLookup is relatively straightforward. Just follow these steps:
- Go to the NumLookup opt-out page
- Enter the phone number you want removed
- Complete the CAPTCHA challenge and click “Remove My Info“
- Choose to “manually submit removal request” (unless you have a NumLookup account)
- Fill out the opt-out form with your:
- Email address
- Full name
- Phone number
- Street address, city, state
- Subject line (e.g. “Remove my data”)
- Description of your opt-out request
- Complete the CAPTCHA and submit the form
That’s it! NumLookup says they will process your opt-out request within 45 days. However, we recommend setting a reminder to check back in a month or two. Your info may reappear in their database as they scrape new data sources.
For long-term privacy protection, it’s best to develop a habit of regularly monitoring and removing your personal data from sites like NumLookup. You can streamline this process by using a paid service like Incogni to automatically monitor and opt out on your behalf.
Other Data Broker Opt-Out Guides
NumLookup is just one of hundreds of data brokers selling access to your personal information online. To fully protect your privacy, consider opting out of other popular people search sites like:
You can also explore alternatives to NumLookup for reverse phone lookups.
Check out our other opt-out guides for step-by-step instructions to remove your info from each site. With a little time and effort, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint and exposure to privacy risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does NumLookup take to remove your info?
According to NumLookup, they will process data removal requests within 45 days of submission. However, in practice it may happen faster.
Can NumLookup re-add your data after opting out?
Yes, NumLookup and other data brokers continually scrape new data sources to replenish their databases. So even after a successful opt-out, your info may reappear in a few months. It’s best to check the site regularly and resubmit opt-out requests as needed.
Is it legal for NumLookup to share your personal information?
In the US, data brokers can legally collect and sell personal data that is considered public record. However, privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) require them to provide opt-out tools and delete your data upon request.
How does NumLookup get your phone number and personal info?
Data brokers source information from a variety of public and commercial databases, including:
- Government records (voter files, motor vehicle records, court records, etc.)
- Marketing databases and customer lists
- Social media profiles
- Other data brokers and aggregators
By piecing together these fragments of data, they build alarmingly detailed personal profiles on nearly every US resident.
Do you have to pay to opt out of NumLookup?
No, you can opt out of NumLookup for free by submitting a manual request through their website. However, you will need to invest some time filling out forms, verifying your identity, and monitoring your status.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, you can pay for a service like Incogni that will automatically handle opt-outs with NumLookup and other data brokers on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- NumLookup is a data broker that sells access to personal info from reverse phone lookups
- You can opt out of NumLookup for free by filling out a form on their website
- After opting out, regularly check back and resubmit requests to keep your info off the site
- Hundreds of other data brokers also trade in personal data, so consider opting out of them as well
- Staying on top of data broker opt-outs takes constant effort, but is important for protecting your privacy online
By following the tips in this guide and making data broker opt-outs a regular habit, you can reduce your digital footprint and protect yourself from privacy risks. Stay safe out there!
