In an increasingly connected world, your personal information is more accessible than ever — often without your knowledge or consent. One of the most common sources of this exposure is data brokers.
As a DVC Title Alert member, you're already protected with up to $1 million in identity restoration coverage if you're the victim of verified identity theft. However, one of the most effective forms of prevention is understanding how your information is being collected and removing it where possible.
A data broker is a company or website that collects personal information from publicly available sources, online activity, and commercial records, then sells or publishes it — often without your permission.
These brokers may list:
Your full name
Current and previous home addresses
Phone numbers and email addresses
Date of birth and age
Names of relatives and associates
Voting history or political affiliation
Estimated income or net worth
Social media accounts or photos
This information is often compiled into searchable profiles and sold to marketers, background check services, and — more dangerously — identity thieves.
Removing your personal details from data broker websites helps reduce your risk of:
Data brokers make it easy for bad actors to gather enough personal information to:
Open bank accounts or credit cards in your name
File fraudulent tax returns
Access your DVC membership
Commit healthcare or benefits fraud
Even small pieces of data — like your hometown, birth year, or family members — can be used in identity fraud.
Criminals use publicly available information to guess answers to security questions, reset passwords, or impersonate you in support calls. This can give them access to:
Email and cloud accounts
Banking and credit card accounts
Online stores or loyalty programs
Travel or subscription services
The more information that’s publicly available, the easier it is for them to break in.
When your phone number or email is exposed through data brokers, it often ends up on:
Spam mailing lists
Scam call networks
Text phishing campaigns
Targeted advertising networks
This exposure can waste your time, create security risks, and open you up to financial scams.
Unfortunately, removing your information from data broker sites is often a manual process. Most brokers do not make it easy — many require forms, ID verification, and individual opt-out procedures.
If you want to take action:
Search for your name on major data broker websites like Spokeo, Whitepages, MyLife, and Radaris.
Look for their “Opt-Out” or “Privacy” page — often in the site footer.
Follow each site's specific instructions to request removal of your information.
Be patient — it may take several days to a few weeks for removals to be processed.
Repeat the process regularly, as your information can reappear over time.
🔒 Tip: When opting out, use a dedicated email address and do not submit more information than required.
While DVC Title Alert does not currently offer data broker removal services, your membership includes:
$1 million in identity restoration coverage
Support if you experience identity theft or fraud
Resources to help you act quickly and stay informed
If you discover signs of identity misuse and have followed best practices like credit freezes or data broker opt-outs, report the incident to us within 30 days to initiate a claim.
Data brokers may seem invisible, but they play a major role in how your personal information spreads online. By proactively removing your data from these platforms, you can significantly reduce your risk of identity theft, scams, and account takeovers.
Staying informed is your first line of defense — and with DVC Title Alert, you’re never alone in protecting what matters.