Data Removal for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors
If you are leaving or have left an abusive relationship, removing your personal information from data brokers is one of the most effective physical-safety measures you can take. This guide is written with the urgency and discretion the situation demands.
Threat model
Former abuser, stalker, or hostile family member
Why dv & stalking survivors are at elevated risk
Stalkers and abusers routinely use people-search sites to locate survivors who have relocated. In many documented cases, free sites like TruePeopleSearch and FastPeopleSearch returned accurate current addresses within days of a move. Fast, complete broker cleanup combined with an Address Confidentiality Program (where available) is the baseline protection.
Priority brokers to remove first
Not every broker is equally dangerous for your situation. Start here, in this order:
- 1.TruePeopleSearch — free and returns current address within days of a move
- 2.FastPeopleSearch — same pattern; critical to remove immediately
- 3.Whitepages — harder opt-out but high priority
- 4.Spokeo — surfaces family members (siblings, parents) who may be targeted
- 5.BeenVerified, Intelius, Nuwber — deeper profiles used by persistent stalkers
Where your data is leaking from
- Voter registration (some states let survivors suppress)
- Property records under prior name
- Marriage/divorce court records
- Utility records
- Social media — even private accounts leak via tagged photos
The playbook
- 1
Enroll in your state's Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) immediately — this lets you use a substitute address for most government and mail purposes. All 50 states have some form of ACP.
- 2
Change your phone number and use a number that is not traceable to your prior life (Google Voice, Mint Mobile with a new email).
- 3
Cleanup brokers in priority order — start with the free people-search sites that are fastest to scrape new records.
- 4
Repeat every 30-60 days initially — broker re-listing is faster than average for recently-moved individuals.
- 5
Consider working with a survivor-focused organisation (NNEDV, local DV shelter) — many have privacy specialists who can expedite and support the process.
Ready to remove
Profession-ready cleanup for $2
OfflistMe generates deletion emails for every priority broker above. No account, no ID upload, sent from your own inbox.
Start for $2 →FAQ: DV & Stalking Survivors
Is data broker removal enough to stay safe?+
It is essential but not sufficient. Combine with: Address Confidentiality Program enrollment, a new phone number, careful social media review, and where appropriate, a restraining order and safety plan developed with a DV advocate.
Will the abuser be notified if I request removal?+
No. Data broker deletion requests are confidential; the broker does not notify any other party. They simply remove your record. Your existence in their system was never disclosed to anyone except people who specifically searched for it.
I cannot afford $2 right now. What can I do?+
Manual opt-out is free. The guide at /how-to-remove-your-data-from-data-brokers walks through it. Also: local DV shelters, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Safety Net Project, and many state coalitions offer direct privacy assistance at no cost.