PeopleWhiz is a people search website that compiles personal information from public records, social media, and commercial data sources into searchable profiles. If your name, address, phone number, or other personal details appear on PeopleWhiz, you have the right to request removal. The process is free, and you do not need a paid membership to opt out.
What Information Does PeopleWhiz Collect?
PeopleWhiz builds detailed profiles by aggregating data from multiple sources. A listing on PeopleWhiz may include:
- Full name, age, and date of birth
- Current and past home addresses
- Phone numbers including cell and landline
- Email addresses
- Known relatives and associates
- Social media profiles
- Employment history
- Education records
- Court and criminal records
- Property and asset information
The data comes from publicly available records such as voter registration databases, property deeds, court filings, and commercially available marketing databases. While PeopleWhiz presents this as a convenience for reconnecting with people or verifying identities, having this much personal data openly searchable is a legitimate privacy concern.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Follow these steps to remove your information from PeopleWhiz:
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Visit the removal page:
Go to www.peoplewhiz.com/remove-my-info. You can also find this page by scrolling to the bottom of the PeopleWhiz website and clicking the "Remove My Info" link.
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Search for your record:
Enter your first name, last name, and the city and state where you live. Click "Search Now" to find your listing.
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Identify your profile:
Browse through the results and locate the record that matches your information. Click the "That's Me" button next to your listing.
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Provide your email address:
Enter a valid email address and click "Next". PeopleWhiz will send a confirmation email with an opt-out link.
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Verify your identity:
PeopleWhiz requires proof of identification to process your removal. You will typically need to upload or email a copy of a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.
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Confirm the removal:
After verifying your identity, confirm your request. PeopleWhiz will send a final confirmation email notifying you that the opt-out process is underway and that they will inform their data partners to stop returning your records.
ID Verification Required
Unlike many other data broker opt-outs, PeopleWhiz requires you to submit a copy of your government-issued photo ID. Before uploading, consider redacting sensitive details such as your ID number by covering them with a black marker or using image editing software. The site only needs to verify your name and likeness, not your full ID number.
Removal Timeline
PeopleWhiz states that removal requests are processed within 5 business days, though many users report that their listings are removed more quickly than that. After the processing period, search for yourself again on PeopleWhiz to confirm that your profile has been taken down.
Check Multiple Listings
You may have more than one profile on PeopleWhiz, especially if you have lived in different locations or have a common name. Search for variations of your name and check multiple cities where you have resided to ensure all listings are removed.
What Happens After You Opt Out
After successfully opting out, it is important to understand the limitations:
- Your public records still exist: PeopleWhiz removal only affects their website. Your information remains available through the original public record sources and potentially on other people search sites.
- Data may reappear: PeopleWhiz regularly updates their database with fresh data from public records and commercial sources. Your information may be re-added during a future data refresh, requiring you to opt out again.
- Other sites still have your data: PeopleWhiz is just one of many people search sites. Others like Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, and Intelius may also have your information and each requires a separate opt-out.
Alternative Removal Methods
If the standard opt-out process does not work, you have other options:
- Use the secondary opt-out page: PeopleWhiz also has an opt-out form at www.peoplewhiz.com/optout that may provide an alternative removal pathway.
- Contact PeopleWhiz support: Reach out through their website contact form or support email to escalate your removal request.
- Invoke your state privacy rights: If you live in a state with a consumer privacy law such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have legal rights to demand deletion of your personal data.
Comprehensive Privacy Protection
Opting out of PeopleWhiz is a smart move, but with dozens of similar data brokers and people search engines indexing your personal details, staying on top of every opt-out request manually is time-consuming and never truly finished. PrivacyOn automates this process by continuously scanning data broker sites for your personal information and submitting removal requests on your behalf, so you can protect your privacy without the ongoing effort.