Are you concerned about your personal information being publicly available on people search sites like PeopleWhiz? You’re not alone. These data brokers collect and sell sensitive details about individuals, putting you at risk for scams, identity theft, online harassment and more.
Fortunately, you have the right to opt out of PeopleWhiz and get your data removed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to take back control of your privacy. Let’s dive in.
What is PeopleWhiz?
PeopleWhiz is a people search engine and data broker that aggregates personal information from public records and other sources. Their website allows anyone to look up details on individuals like:
- Full name
- Home address
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Relatives
- Social media profiles
- Criminal records
- Court records
- Assets and property records
- And more
While PeopleWhiz claims this data is already public, having it so easily accessible in one place poses major privacy risks. Identity thieves, scammers, stalkers and other bad actors can exploit this information.
Do You Need to Opt Out of PeopleWhiz?
If you value your privacy, opting out of PeopleWhiz is essential. Getting your personal information removed helps protect you and your family from:
- Doxxing and online harassment
- Spam calls and texts
- Phishing and social engineering attacks
- Fraudulent accounts being opened in your name
- Physical threats and stalking
- Reputational damage
Even if you think the data is harmless, it’s best to err on the side of caution. You never know how it could be misused by others with bad intentions.
PeopleWhiz Opt Out Instructions
Now that you understand the importance of opting out, here are the steps to remove your info from PeopleWhiz:
- Go to the PeopleWhiz opt out page: https://www.peoplewhiz.com/optout
- Enter your name and location, then click “Search“
- Find your listing in the results and click “That’s me“
- Enter a valid email address to get a verification link
- Open the email from PeopleWhiz and click “Confirm Opt-Out“
- Upload a photo or image when asked to confirm your identity
- Your request will be processed within 7 days
It’s important to use a burner email that you don’t mind being public. We recommend Blur, MySudo or Firefox Relay for creating a masked email address.
For the identity photo, we also advise against using your real picture. Any image should work to complete the request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does PeopleWhiz take to remove info?
According to PeopleWhiz, opt out requests are processed within 7 business days. After this period, check back and contact their support team if your information is still showing up.
Can I opt out of PeopleWhiz by phone or email?
Currently, the only way to opt out of PeopleWhiz is through their online form. You will need to provide an email address for verification and a photo to confirm your identity.
Will opting out of PeopleWhiz remove me from other sites?
No, you will need to opt out of each people search site individually. Many data brokers have a similar opt out process. Check our other guides for step-by-step instructions.
Can I opt out on behalf of someone else?
You can only opt out for yourself unless you have legal authority to submit requests for others. This may apply to minors, incapacitated persons or deceased individuals.
What if I opt out and my information shows up again?
Data brokers like PeopleWhiz may re-add your information in the future even after opting out. It’s a good idea to check periodically and repeat the opt out process as needed.
Protect Your Privacy with Opting Out
Opting out of PeopleWhiz is a good first step, but don’t stop there. Hundreds of other data brokers are exposing your personal information online. Protect yourself by opting out everywhere you can. If you decide to cancel your PeopleWhiz subscription, make sure to remove your payment info and follow up to confirm the cancellation.
We know the process can be time consuming, so we developed Incogni to handle data removal automatically. Our service will continuously scan and opt out on your behalf, so you don’t have to keep up with every site selling your info.
Take control of your data and stay safe online. Check out our other opt out guides or try Incogni to force data brokers to respect your privacy.
Some key takeaways:
- PeopleWhiz is a people search site that exposes your private information
- You can opt out and get your data deleted by following the steps above
- Use a burner email and fake photo when opting out for added security
- Opting out is an ongoing process that you may need to repeat
- Remove your info from all data brokers, not just PeopleWhiz
- Tools like Incogni can handle mass data removal automatically
