Have you ever searched your own name online? You can find anything from your home address and phone number to your relatives, job history, and even financial data. It’s often all exposed and available to strangers. Below we explore how to remove your details from the web and prevent scams using Incogni.
This isn’t just a privacy issue. Scammers and fraudsters actively use this information to impersonate you, trick your family, or even open accounts in your name. Every new data leak fuels identity theft, fraud, and targeted scams.
The good news? You can get your details removed from the web yourself or by using services like Incogni. Here’s how:
Step 1: Find where your data is listed
Start by searching your full name, address, phone number, and email. You’ll likely find dozens of “people search” sites, background check platforms, and data broker listings exposing your details.
Step 2: Contact sites one by one
Every site has its own “opt-out” process. Some require forms, others emails, and many demand proof of ID. Be prepared for delays and confusing procedures — it’s designed to wear you down.
Step 3: Follow up repeatedly
Even after removal, many sites quietly relist your information. You’ll need to check back and resubmit requests regularly to stay off their databases.
Step 4: Keep monitoring
New brokers pop up constantly, scraping your details again. It’s an endless cycle of searching, requesting, and repeating. Keep up with any reappearances of your personal information and repeat this cycle.
Or let Incogni handle it automatically
Manually following these steps can take hundreds of hours and constant vigilance. That’s where Incogni comes in.
Instead of chasing brokers yourself, Incogni does it for you. Incogni:
Contacts hundreds of data brokers on your behalf
Tracks requests and keeps them updated
Handles follow-ups so your details stay removed
Covers 420+ data brokers automatically, and with Incogni Unlimited, you can submit any website link exposing your info for custom removal requests.
Think of it as hiring a cleaner for your personal data on the web. It’ll search where your data’s exposed, contact the websites, and handle follow-ups for you.
Real results you can feel
Removing your details has immediate benefits:
Scammers can’t impersonate you if they can’t find you
Less junk mail, robocalls, and spam texts
Reduced risk of identity theft and financial fraud
Greater peace of mind knowing your private life stays private.
Exclusive offer for 9to5mac readers
Most people wait until after they’ve been targeted to act. By then, it’s often too late. Our readers will get 55% off Incogni with the code 9TO5MAC at checkout.
For comprehensive data removal, we recommend Incogni Unlimited, so you can take back control before scammers strike. It’s your fastest, easiest, and most effective way to wipe your data from the web.