Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
PeopleSmart, a well-known data aggregator, compiles public and semi-public information into comprehensive profiles. From full names to addresses, phone numbers, and associates, it creates a digital paper trail that can be exploited by marketers, fraudsters, or malicious actors. If you’re searching for a reliable PeopleSmart opt out guide in 2025, this walkthrough will help you reclaim your privacy, reduce your online footprint, and secure your personal data.
Table Of Content
What Is PeopleSmart?
PeopleSmart (peoplesmart.com) is a people search engine owned by BeenVerified Inc. It offers background checks and contact information reports by pulling data from:
- Voter registrations
- Social media profiles
- Real estate and property tax records
- Court filings and criminal history
- Telecom databases
- Online directories
Although PeopleSmart is intended for reconnecting with lost contacts or verifying identities, its presence in search engines makes private data easily discoverable. It’s particularly problematic for individuals in sensitive professions—like healthcare, education, and law enforcement—or those navigating personal safety risks, such as stalking or domestic violence survivors.
Why You Should Opt Out of PeopleSmart
Public listings on PeopleSmart can expose you to:
- Identity theft
- Cyberstalking or harassment
- Unsolicited calls, texts, and emails
- Embarrassment or reputation issues
- Safety concerns for domestic violence survivors, political activists, or high-profile individuals
PeopleSmart profiles may contain outdated or incorrect information, which can mislead employers, landlords, or background screeners. Unlike verified government records, these aggregators rarely fact-check the data they compile, making it easy for errors to proliferate across the web.
Step-by-Step: How to Opt Out of PeopleSmart in 2025
Step 1: Visit the Opt-Out Portal
Go directly to https://www.peoplesmart.com/opt-out. The form is managed separately from their main site and is used across their data broker network.
Step 2: Search for Your Information
Enter your name, state, and city or zip code. Once results appear:
- Click the most accurate profile
- Confirm identifiers like age, phone number, relatives, or prior addresses
- Copy the profile’s URL to paste into the removal form
Step 3: Complete the Opt-Out Request
Fill out the removal form with:
- Your name
- Current email address (used for confirmation only)
- The profile URL you copied
- Brief reason for removal (e.g., privacy concern, identity protection)
Complete the CAPTCHA and accept the site’s privacy policy and opt-out terms.
Step 4: Confirm Your Email
Within minutes, PeopleSmart will send a confirmation email. Open it and click the verification link.
Note: Your opt-out will not be processed unless you click the link.
Step 5: Monitor for Removal
PeopleSmart usually removes listings within 7 days. Recheck the profile URL or use a Google Alert to track visibility. Search using incognito mode or private browsing to avoid cached results.
Tips for a Successful PeopleSmart Opt Out
- Use a privacy-first email address (e.g., ProtonMail)
- Perform opt-out requests from a VPN to reduce tracking
- Keep a spreadsheet of all submissions and dates for auditing
- Opt out from all variations of your name and known aliases
- Request removal of listings for family members who share your address or surname
What If the Listing Reappears?
Due to periodic database refreshes, your profile may resurface. If that happens:
- Resubmit a new opt-out form with updated profile URLs
- Check for data propagation on sister sites (like BeenVerified, Intelius)
- Contact the platform’s support team if necessary
- Use the Google Removal Tool for de-indexing
How PeopleSmart Gets Your Data
PeopleSmart compiles its records from:
- Government registries (real estate, DMV, criminal courts)
- Data exchanges with marketing firms and telecom companies
- Social media accounts and leaked credentials
- Business registrations and property tax files
Your profile may have been created without your consent or knowledge. Many brokers rely on indirect data relationships, such as your spouse’s filings or a shared household address, to infer and link profiles.
Additional Privacy Threats from Data Brokers
PeopleSmart isn’t the only threat to your online privacy. Once exposed, your data may be scraped and distributed across:
- Whitepages
- TruthFinder
- FastPeopleSearch
- USPhoneBook
- Spokeo
- Radaris
Each of these platforms requires its own opt-out strategy. Ignoring one can mean your data returns through another. Comprehensive data removal strategies must be coordinated and repeated periodically.
How to Stop PeopleSmart from Collecting Your Data Again
1. Use a Virtual Mailing Address
Never submit your real home address on forms. Use a PO Box or virtual mailbox service like iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox.
2. Register Domains and Businesses Anonymously
- Use domain privacy protection on WHOIS
- Form LLCs through registered agents
- Avoid personal email addresses when registering domains or company entities
3. Avoid Public Profiles
- Don’t post birthdays or family info on social media
- Keep LinkedIn and Facebook privacy settings locked down
- Monitor your name using open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools like Recon.ng or SpiderFoot
Legal Support for Opting Out
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
Residents of California have the legal right to:
- Know what personal data is collected
- Request deletion of that data
- Opt out of its sale
More info: https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa
Virginia CDPA, Colorado CPA, Connecticut and Utah Privacy Laws
If you live in one of these states, your privacy rights may entitle you to:
- Limit data sharing
- Enforce deletion across platforms
- File complaints against non-compliant brokers
- Request transparency reports from large aggregators
In many cases, companies that fail to comply with removal requests may be subject to enforcement action by state attorneys general.
Defamation Defenders Can Help
Even after opting out, your information can linger or reappear on less reputable platforms. That’s where Defamation Defenders steps in. We offer:
- Multi-platform opt-out management
- Suppression of indexed people search pages
- Customized monitoring and alert systems
- Legal takedown support when warranted
- SEO guidance to replace outdated or harmful listings with credible, positive content
Contact our privacy team to build your own comprehensive data protection plan or learn more about our services.
Top Tools for Monitoring Data Exposure
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Google Alerts | Tracks mentions of your name |
| DeleteMe | Automates monthly broker removals |
| Optery | Aggregates removal status per site |
| Incogni | GDPR/CCPA-focused bulk opt-out engine |
| Mozilla Monitor | Flags data breaches tied to your email |
| HaveIBeenPwned | Alerts on leaked account credentials |
| Privacy Bee | Custom opt-out request system |
| TrackOff | Browser fingerprinting and ad-blocking |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You don’t need a paid subscription to remove your information.
While unlikely, data may reference household members. Remove any suspicious ties immediately.
Most requests are processed within 7–10 business days. You may receive email confirmation when completed.
Your data may be picked up by other aggregators. The longer it’s visible, the higher the risk of exposure and redistribution.
Use incognito mode, variations of your name, and search associated addresses or relatives. Try different zip codes and middle initials.
Absolutely. Our privacy professionals manage full-spectrum removals, real-time monitoring, and long-term suppression strategies.
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