This Truthfinder opt out guide provides step-by-step instructions to remove your data, explains why your information appears, and covers more ways you can protect your privacy.
Prefer an automated option? The DuckDuckGo Subscription includes a Personal Information Removal tool to simplify the process. DuckDuckGo monitors sites such as Truthfinder, automatically submits opt-out requests for you, and rescans every 10 days to help keep your personal data offline.
Truthfinder Opt Out Fast Facts
- Personal information available: Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, relatives, associates, and more
- Visibility: Mostly visible
- Opt-out time estimate: 15 to 30 minutes
- Difficulty: High
- Email confirmation required: Yes, or phone verification
- Phone confirmation required: Yes, or email verification
- Processing time: Typically, within 1 hour of opt out
- Captcha requirement: No captcha required
Truthfinder Opt Out Process (Step-by-step)
Removing your personal information from Truthfinder is a straightforward process that anyone can complete. To get started, follow these steps:
Step 1: Confirm your personal information is on Truthfinder
- Do not use their standard search option, as it will keep you in a slow-loading process that takes minutes to provide results.
- Instead, copy the URL below and replace the italicized sections with your information, which takes you straight to the opt-out forms:
Step 2: Start a suppression request through PeopleConnect
- PeopleConnect is the parent company of Truthfinder, Intelius, USSearch, and Instant Checkmate. This page will take you straight to the Truthfinder opt out request.
- Add your email address into the Email Address box.
- Check the box stating, “I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and consent to receive transactional emails regarding my use of the Suppression Tool.”
- Click Continue. You will receive a message stating, “An email has been sent to the address you provided. Please click the link in the email to continue.”
- Check your inbox for a message titled “Confirm your email address.” Open the email and click Verify Email.
Step 3: Continue your suppression request
- Once you click Verify Email, you will be redirected back to PeopleConnect.
- Add your birthdate, ensure the verification box is checked, and click Continue.
- Add your First, Middle, and Last names, check the “This is my legal name” box, and click Continue.
Step 4: Complete your suppression request
- Locate the matching record, select the radio button, then click Continue.
- In the dropdown, select a phone number or email you have access to for verification. Provide the full email or phone number, then input the verification code you receive.
- Now, you can toggle your Truthfinder profile from Displayed to Suppressed. Toggling to Suppressed will hide that personal information from public view.
Prefer an automated option? The DuckDuckGo Subscription includes a Personal Information Removal tool to simplify the process. DuckDuckGo monitors sites such as Truthfinder, automatically submits opt-out requests for you, and rescans every 10 days to help keep your personal data offline.
My personal info is still in search engines. Why?
Deleting your information doesn’t always mean it disappears right away from search results, as search engines like Google and Bing periodically refresh cached pages.
To remove outdated Truthfinder content from Google, use their personally identifiable information removal tool linked here. For Bing, you can submit removal requests using this link. DuckDuckGo results can also be addressed through Bing’s process; more on that here.
Search engines like Google and Bing typically update their indexes every few days to a few weeks, so if you still see your Truthfinder listing, revisit later or file another request.
What is Truthfinder?
Truthfinder markets itself as a background check service, but it’s just another data broker that compiles personal data into detailed online profiles. Truthfinder collects data from public records, other data brokers, social networks, and online databases to build profiles. These profiles are likely to include the following personal information:
- Full name (and previous names)
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Age and birthdate
- Relatives, neighbors, and associates
- Property ownership, arrest records, and more
These detailed profiles can expose your personal data to anyone who searches for it.
How does Truthfinder get my information?
Truthfinder collects data from various public sources, including:
- Public Records and Government Databases: Voter rolls, property ownership records, court documents, and business registrations all contribute to Truthfinder profiles.
- Third-Party Data Brokers: These brokers compile and sell data collected from online activity, subscriptions, and surveys. Truthfinder purchases this data to add to its reports.
- Social Media and Internet Activity: Publicly visible profiles and posts on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and X/Twitter are also included.
- Utility Records and Phone Directories: Any phone numbers or addresses published in public directories can surface on Truthfinder.
Truthfinder’s data refreshes frequently, so even after you opt out, your information could reappear. If you want to keep your personal data off Truthfinder, you should check back on a regular basis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truthfinder Opt Out
Can I remove my information permanently from Truthfinder?
Yes, but Truthfinder frequently updates its database, which means your data could return, so regular checks and resubmitting opt-outs are recommended.
Does Truthfinder sell my information?
No, but Truthfinder pulls data from numerous third-party data brokers. Any background report you purchase directly through Truthfinder is built from those sources.
Will removing my information from Truthfinder remove it from other sites?
Removing your personal information from Truthfinder affects several other sites, including Intelius, USSearch, Instant Checkmate and others. However, it doesn't cover all data brokers, so you’ll need to submit separate opt-out requests for other data broker sites.
Submitting a Truthfinder removal through PeopleConnect's suppression tool helps reduce the chances of other data brokers gathering and republishing your personal data from Truthfinder.
Are there services that can remove my data automatically?
There are paid services available that focus on removing your personal data from sites like Truthfinder and other people search platforms.
The DuckDuckGo Subscription offers Personal Information Removal for US users, automatically handling opt-out requests and checking every 10 days to make sure your data stays removed.
How can I prevent my information from appearing on sites like Truthfinder?
Completely removing your personal data online isn’t easy, but you can follow a few key steps to lower the chances of it appearing in searches.
- Be mindful of what you post online and set your social media accounts to private so only friends or approved followers can see your information.
- Make sure to opt out from additional people search sites such as Whitepages, Spokeo, Intelius, and others that collect and share your information.
- Protect your personal data by using DuckDuckGo for private searches and Email Protection to keep your email address hidden.
Our Final Thoughts
Truthfinder makes personal data easily accessible, but their opt-out process is free and straightforward if you check back occasionally.
For long-term privacy, be sure to opt out from other data brokers or use the DuckDuckGo Subscription to automate the process.
For more ways to protect your privacy, visit the DuckDuckGo blog and subscribe to our newsletter.