PeopleSmart Opt-Out Guide: How to Remove Your Personal Information

Overview:

What is PeopleSmart?

PeopleSmart is a data broker platform that aggregates and displays personal information sourced from public records, government databases, and third-party sources. It allows users to search for individuals and access detailed reports containing various personal details.

Types of personal information they expose:

• Full Names

• Known Aliases

• Current and Previous Addresses

• Phone Numbers

• Email Addresses

• Relatives and Associates

• Age

• Date of Birth

• Property Ownership Records

• Criminal and Court Records

Risks to privacy if the data is not removed:

Not removing personal data from data broker sites such as PeopleSmart poses significant privacy risks such as identity theft, financial fraud, or social engineering. Publicly available contact and location details also heighten the risk of harassment, stalking, or unwanted contact especially since data brokers frequently share or sell this information, broadly distributing your personal details online and making them difficult to control. Therefore, prompt removal and robust privacy protection are essential.

Why this guide exists:

This guide assists individuals in taking control of their online presence. By facilitating the removal of personal data from PeopleSmart, it helps minimize potential risks and exposure.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of opting out of PeopleSmart.

Opt-Out Process at a Glance

• Time to Complete: 10-15 minutes

• Information Required: Full Name, Address, Email Address, and Membership ID

• Verification Required: Yes - Email Confirmation and CAPTCHA

• Data Removal Timeline: 30 to 45 days

• VPN Required: No

Step-by-Step Opt-Out Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to PeopleSmart

Access the Opt-Out Page: https://www.peoplesmart.com/svc/optout/search/comprehensive_optouts

Step 2: Search for Your Listing 

• Select your Request Type from the dropdown menu.

• Type in your Membership ID.

• Enter your First Name, Last Name, and Middle Initial (if applicable).

• Type in your Email Address for contact.

• Enter your Street Address and City.

• Select your State from the dropdown menu.

• Enter your ZIP Code.

• Select the appropriate option from "Do you have an account with us?" dropdown menu.

• Complete the verification.

• Click on 'Submit'.

Step 3: Locate Your Listing

• Locate your listing among the populated results.

• Click on 'Proceed to Opt Out'.

Step 4: Fill Out Form

• Optionally, enter the phone number/s you would like opt-out.

• Type in your Address (Street, City, State, and ZIP).

• Enter the email address/es you would like to opt out.

• Type in the user name/s of your social media account/s you would like to opt out.

• Tick the Certification check box.

• Complete the CAPTCHA.

• Click on 'Remove My Info'.

Step 5: Processing

Although not immediate, check your email inbox for further updates or email confirmation from PeopleSmart.

Additional Notes

• PeopleSmart is required by law to respond to your request within 30 to 45 days of receiving your opt-out request. Follow up if you do not hear from them within this period.

• Use a disposable or privacy-focused email if you don't want your primary email associated with the request.

• Check spam or junk folders for their confirmation email.

• Re-check the site periodically to confirm deletion.

Need Help?

If you're having trouble opting out of PeopleSmart or want to save time, you can rely on Privacy Bee, a trusted privacy protection service. Their team will handle the entire removal process on your behalf quickly, securely, and thoroughly, so you don't have to manage it yourself.