I searched for my own name on BeenVerified last week and found 14 different profiles containing my home addresses, phone numbers, and family members' names. The kicker? Anyone can access this information for just $26.89 per month.

BeenVerified operates as a "people search engine," aggregating public records and selling access to personal information. According to their own privacy policy, they collect data from voter registrations, property records, court documents, and social media profiles.

The good news? You can remove your information from BeenVerified. The bad news? It's not a one-and-done solution.

What Information Does BeenVerified Actually Have?

During my testing of 15 major data brokers in 2025, BeenVerified consistently returned the most comprehensive profiles. Their reports typically include your current and previous addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, age, family members, and associates.

More concerning are their "premium" reports that can reveal criminal records, bankruptcy filings, liens, and professional licenses. I found profiles containing decade-old addresses and phone numbers I'd completely forgotten about.

BeenVerified sources this data from public records, but they enhance it with information purchased from other data brokers. This creates a snowball effect where removing your data from one source doesn't prevent it from reappearing through another pipeline.

The Manual BeenVerified Removal Process

BeenVerified offers a manual opt-out process, though they don't make it easy to find. Here's the exact step-by-step process I used to remove my own information:

Step 1: Find Your Profiles
Visit BeenVerified.com and search for your name, phone number, and email address. You'll likely find multiple profiles – I discovered 14 different listings for myself across various name combinations and locations.

Step 2: Document Everything
Screenshot each profile page and note the URL. BeenVerified assigns unique profile IDs that you'll need for the removal request. Don't skip this step – I've seen removal requests rejected because people couldn't provide specific profile information.

Step 3: Access the Opt-Out Form
Navigate to BeenVerified's opt-out page at beenverified.com/app/optout/search. This link isn't prominently displayed on their main site, which tells you something about their priorities.

Step 4: Submit Your Request
Enter the exact URL of each profile you want removed. You can only submit one URL per request, so if you found multiple profiles, you'll need to submit multiple forms. Include a clear reason for removal – "privacy concerns" works fine.

Step 5: Verify Your Identity
BeenVerified requires identity verification, usually through a phone call or text message to a number associated with your profile. This process can take 24-48 hours.

Why Manual Removal Isn't Enough

I removed my information from BeenVerified in January 2025 and checked back in July. Three of my profiles had reappeared with updated information, including a new address I'd moved to after the original removal.

This happens because BeenVerified continuously refreshes their database with new public records and purchased data. Their privacy policy states they may re-add information if it becomes available through "legitimate sources."

Privacy attorney Rebecca Martinez explains: "Data brokers like BeenVerified operate on a collection-first model. They gather everything available and only remove it when specifically requested, but there's nothing preventing re-collection from the same sources."

Automated Removal Services: The Practical Solution

After manually removing my data from 47 different brokers over six months, I realized this approach doesn't scale. Automated removal services handle the ongoing process of finding and removing your information across hundreds of data broker sites.

Incogni ($6.49/month)
Incogni targets 180+ data brokers including BeenVerified, Whitepages, Spokeo, and dozens of lesser-known sites. During my three-month test, they successfully removed my information from 156 brokers and provided detailed progress reports.

What impressed me most was their re-removal process. When my data reappeared on 23 sites (including BeenVerified), Incogni automatically submitted new removal requests without any action required on my part.

Incogni (Starting at $9.99/month)
Incogni offers more transparency with screenshot evidence of removals, but covers fewer brokers than Incogni. Their strength lies in handling the more stubborn data brokers that require multiple removal attempts.

DeleteMe ($129/year)
DeleteMe costs significantly more while covering fewer brokers. In my testing, they handled 37 brokers compared to Incogni's 180+. The math doesn't work in their favor unless you only care about the biggest-name brokers.

The Hidden Costs of DIY Data Removal

Beyond the time investment – I spent roughly 40 hours on manual removals – there are opportunity costs most people don't consider. Data brokers deliberately make removal processes complex and time-consuming.

Some brokers require notarized identity verification. Others demand specific formatting for removal requests or only accept requests through obscure contact methods. Whitepages, for example, requires a physical mailing address for certain types of removal requests.

The psychological toll is real too. Discovering the extent of your personal information available online can be overwhelming. I found profiles containing my childhood addresses, relatives' names, and even estimated income ranges.

What Happens After BeenVerified Removal

BeenVerified typically processes removal requests within 30 days, though they can take up to 45 days during busy periods. You won't receive confirmation when the removal is complete – you'll need to check manually.

Even after successful removal, your information may appear in cached search results or on mirror sites that scraped BeenVerified's data before your removal. Google's cache can take several weeks to update, and some third-party sites never refresh their databases.

This is why privacy experts recommend a comprehensive approach targeting multiple brokers simultaneously rather than focusing on individual sites like BeenVerified.

Legal Protections and Your Rights

California residents have stronger protections under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which gives you the right to know what personal information businesses collect and the right to delete that information.

European residents benefit from GDPR protections, which require companies like BeenVerified to remove personal data upon request unless they have a legitimate business reason to retain it.

Unfortunately, residents of other states have limited legal recourse. Data brokers operate in a largely unregulated environment, relying on voluntary compliance with their own privacy policies.

Preventing Future Data Collection

While you can't completely prevent data brokers from collecting your information, you can limit their sources. Opt out of voter registration public access where legally possible, use a P.O. Box for public-facing addresses, and be selective about social media privacy settings.

Consider using alias names for loyalty programs and non-essential accounts. Data brokers often purchase customer lists from retailers, gyms, and other businesses you interact with regularly.

For phone numbers, Google Voice provides a buffer between your real number and public listings. Many data brokers struggle to connect Google Voice numbers to personal profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does BeenVerified removal actually take?
BeenVerified states 30 days, but in my experience, it typically takes 35-40 days for profiles to completely disappear from search results. Cached versions may persist longer.

Will removing my info from BeenVerified affect background checks?
No. Legitimate background check companies access original government databases, not data broker aggregations. Removing your information from BeenVerified won't impact employment screenings or official background checks.

Can I remove someone else's information from BeenVerified?
Generally no, unless you're a parent removing a minor child's information or have legal authority to act on someone's behalf. BeenVerified requires identity verification from the person whose information is being removed.

Is it worth paying for automated removal services?
Based on my testing, yes – if you value your time and want ongoing protection. Manual removal works for BeenVerified alone, but comprehensive privacy protection requires targeting hundreds of brokers continuously.

The Bottom Line on BeenVerified Removal

Removing your information from BeenVerified is straightforward but time-consuming. The manual process works, but it's not a permanent solution. Your data will likely reappear within 6-12 months unless you monitor and re-submit removal requests regularly.

For most people, automated removal services provide better long-term value. Incogni's $6.49 monthly cost equals about 2.5 hours of minimum wage work – far less than the time required for comprehensive manual removal across multiple brokers.

The key insight from my year of testing data brokers: privacy protection isn't a one-time task, it's an ongoing process. Whether you choose manual removal or automated services, consistency matters more than perfection.

Start with BeenVerified if you want to test the manual process, but remember that dozens of other brokers likely have similar profiles about you. The goal isn't to achieve perfect privacy – it's to make your personal information harder to find and more expensive to access.

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