Melissa Data (now simply Melissa) is a global data broker that provides identity verification, contact data, and consumer demographics to businesses worldwide. If your personal information is in their database — and it very likely is — here's how to opt out and request removal.
What Is Melissa Data?
Melissa Corporation, formerly known as Melissa Data, has been in the data business since 1985. They are a major data quality and identity verification company that collects, verifies, and sells personal information to businesses. The types of data Melissa collects include:
- Full names and aliases
- Current and previous home addresses
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers (landline and mobile)
- Consumer demographics (age, gender, income estimates)
- Mortgage and property data
- Business firmographic data
- Geocoding and location data
Who Uses Your Data?
Melissa sells your information to marketing companies, direct mail advertisers, financial institutions, and other businesses. This means your personal details are being used to target you with advertising, verify your identity in transactions you may not have initiated, and build consumer profiles about you.
How to Opt Out of Melissa Data
Melissa provides several methods for opting out. Here's each approach:
Method 1: Online Opt-Out Form (Easiest)
- Visit melissa.com
- Scroll to the very bottom of the homepage
- Click the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link
- Fill out the opt-out form with your personal details
- Submit the form and save your confirmation
Method 2: Email Request
- Send an email to privacy@melissa.com
- Use a clear subject line like "Data Deletion and Opt-Out Request"
- Include your full name, home address, email address, and phone number
- Clearly state that you want all personal data deleted from Melissa's databases
- Request that your information not be collected or sold in the future
- Ask for written confirmation of your removal
Method 3: Phone Request
- Call Melissa at 1-800-635-4772
- Business hours: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday
- Request to speak with someone about data privacy opt-out
- Provide your identifying information and request removal
Method 4: Mail Request
Send a written opt-out request to:
Melissa Corporation
Attn: Opt-Out Service
22382 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2112
Use Multiple Methods
For the most thorough removal, consider using both the online form and sending an email. This creates a documented paper trail and increases the likelihood of a complete removal from all of Melissa's databases and products.
What Happens After You Opt Out
Here's what to expect after submitting your opt-out request:
- Processing time: Melissa typically processes requests within 30-45 days
- Verification: You may be asked to verify your identity before data is removed
- Partial removal: Some data may be retained for legal compliance or fraud prevention purposes
- Third-party limitations: Data already distributed to Melissa's business clients cannot be recalled — those companies retain their own copies
The Challenge With Melissa Data Removal
Melissa Data presents unique challenges compared to typical people-search sites:
- B2B distribution: Melissa primarily sells data to other businesses, so your information may exist in countless downstream databases
- Continuous data collection: Melissa aggregates data from public records, surveys, warranty cards, magazine subscriptions, and many other sources — so your data can be re-collected after removal
- Multiple products: Your data may exist across several different Melissa products and databases, requiring thorough removal
How PrivacyOn Simplifies the Process
Melissa Data is just one of hundreds of data brokers that hold your personal information. Opting out of each one individually is a never-ending task, especially since many brokers re-collect your data over time.
PrivacyOn takes the burden off your shoulders by:
- Automatically submitting opt-out requests to 100+ data brokers, including marketing data companies like Melissa
- Monitoring for data re-appearance with 24/7 surveillance
- Re-submitting removal requests whenever your data resurfaces
- Providing dark web monitoring to alert you if your data appears in breach databases
Stop the Data Broker Cycle
PrivacyOn continuously monitors and removes your data from 100+ broker sites starting at just $8.33/month. Stop playing whack-a-mole with data brokers and let PrivacyOn handle it automatically.
Other Steps to Reduce Marketing Data Exposure
In addition to opting out of Melissa Data, take these steps to minimize your exposure:
- Opt out of the DMA: Register with the Data & Marketing Association's mail preference service to reduce direct mail
- Be cautious with surveys and registrations: Product registration cards and online surveys are common data collection tools
- Use a PO Box or mail forwarding service: Keep your home address out of commercial databases
- Opt out of other major data brokers: Submit requests to Acxiom, Epsilon, Oracle Data Cloud, and other marketing data companies
- Use a dedicated email for signups: Keep your primary email address separate from commercial accounts