It's creepy. You type your name into a search bar and suddenly your entire life story—your current cell number, that apartment you lived in back in 2014, and your aunt's maiden name—is staring back at you. Fast People Search is one of the biggest players in this weird "data broker" industry. They aren't doing anything illegal, technically, but it feels like a massive invasion of privacy.
Most people think they can just click a button and vanish.
It isn't that easy.
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If you've ever wondered how to remove yourself from Fast People Search, you're likely dealing with the realization that your "private" info is actually a commodity being traded like baseball cards. These sites scrape public records, social media, and marketing lists. They know who you voted for, who you live with, and probably what you pay for car insurance.
Getting your name off one site is a start. But honestly? It's a game of whack-a-mole. You chop one head off, and three more pop up on sites you've never even heard of like Whitepages, Spokeo, or BeenVerified.
The Reality of the Fast People Search Removal Process
Let’s get into the weeds of how this actually works. Fast People Search has a specific "Removal" page, but they don't exactly put it in the main navigation menu with a big neon sign. You have to hunt for it.
First, you need to find your specific record. This is the part that sucks. You have to search for yourself, find the exact profile that matches your details, and copy that URL. If you have a common name like John Smith, you might be scrolling through hundreds of entries before you find the one that lists your actual middle initial and current city.
Once you have that link, you head to their dedicated "Removal" or "Opt-out" page. You paste the link, solve a CAPTCHA—which is always annoying—and hit submit. They’ll usually send a verification email.
Wait. Don't use your primary email for this. Seriously. You are dealing with a data broker. Giving them your main email address to "opt out" is like giving a telemarketer your new number so they can "stop calling" you. Use a burner email or a masked email service like Firefox Relay or iCloud’s Hide My Email. It saves you a massive headache later.
Why Your Info Keeps Coming Back
You might do the work, get the confirmation email, and feel a sense of relief. Then, six months later, you're back on there. It’s infuriating.
The reason this happens is that Fast People Search doesn't just "have" your data; they "refresh" it. They buy new datasets every month. If you remove yourself today, but then you register to vote, sign up for a new credit card, or even just move and change your utility billing address, a new "record" is created. The site's algorithm sees this "new" person (who is actually just you with a slightly different data point) and publishes a fresh profile.
Privacy experts like those at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse have been shouting about this for years. The system is rigged toward the brokers, not the consumers. There's no "permanent delete" button for your digital footprint because the sources of that data—government records, property deeds, and court filings—are public by law.
The Problem with Third-Party Sources
Think about your social media. Even if your profile is private, your friends might not have private settings. If a data broker sees a "tag" or a connection, they can bridge the gap.
- Your LinkedIn profile might be public enough to confirm your current employer.
- A local news mention about a 5k run you did could link your name to a specific town.
- Property tax records are almost always public and searchable online.
It's a web. Pulling one thread doesn't always collapse the whole thing.
Step-by-Step: The Manual Opt-Out
If you’re ready to do this yourself right now, follow these steps exactly. Don't skip the email part I mentioned earlier.
- Go to the Fast People Search website.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom. Look for a link that says "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" or "Removal." Usually, it’s in the footer in tiny text.
- Search for your name and city. Find your profile.
- Click "View Free Details" to make sure it’s actually you.
- Copy the URL from your browser's address bar.
- Go back to the Opt-out page and paste that URL.
- Enter your (temporary!) email address.
- Check your inbox. You MUST click the link in the confirmation email they send, or the removal request won't actually process.
Usually, the record disappears within 24 to 72 hours. If it's still there after a week, they’ve hit a snag or "lost" the request. It happens more often than you’d think.
Is it Worth Paying for a Removal Service?
You've probably seen ads for things like DeleteMe, OneRep, or Incogni. They charge anywhere from $70 to $150 a year to do this for you.
Is it worth it?
If you value your time at more than $10 an hour, yes. Manually removing yourself from the top 50 data brokers would take you a full weekend of clicking, verifying, and swearing at your screen. These services use automated scripts to send these requests constantly. More importantly, they "re-scan." They go back every month to see if Fast People Search has recreated your profile.
However, if you're on a budget, you can do the "Big Five" yourself: Fast People Search, Whitepages, Spokeo, MyLife, and Intelius. These five represent a huge chunk of the "surface" data people see when they Google you.
What About the Law?
Depending on where you live, you might have more leverage. If you're in California, the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) gives you the legal right to tell these companies to delete your data. They are legally required to comply within a specific timeframe.
In 2026, we’re seeing more states pass similar laws. If you're in Virginia, Colorado, or Connecticut, check your local privacy statutes. Mentioning that you are a resident of a state with strong privacy laws in your opt-out request can sometimes speed things up. It tells the company you know your rights and might be a "problem" if they don't listen.
The Mental Health Aspect of Digital Privacy
There's a specific kind of anxiety that comes with knowing a stranger can find your front door for $0.99. It’s not just about "having nothing to hide." It's about safety. For people dealing with stalkers, domestic violence survivors, or even just high-profile professionals, this isn't a hobby. It’s a necessity.
I've talked to people who felt genuinely violated finding their old phone numbers listed. It feels like someone is rifling through your trash.
You have to accept that you can't get to 100% invisibility. Unless you move to a cabin in the woods and never use a credit card again, there will be a digital trail. The goal isn't "zero data." The goal is "high friction." You want to make it difficult enough that a casual snoop or a disgruntled person gives up because the info isn't served to them on a silver platter.
Actionable Next Steps to Take Right Now
If you want to get serious about this, don't just stop at Fast People Search.
First, Google yourself in an Incognito window. See what comes up on the first two pages. Those are your priority targets. If you see a site you don't recognize, look for their "Opt-out" link at the bottom of the page.
Second, tighten your social media. Set everything to "Friends Only." Even your profile picture should be restricted if possible. Data brokers love scraping Facebook for "Related People" to build out your family tree.
Third, stop using your real phone number for rewards programs. Every time you give your number to a grocery store or a gas station to save 10 cents on a gallon of milk, that data is sold. Use a secondary Google Voice number for anything that isn't your bank or your doctor.
Fourth, opt out of the DMA (Data & Marketing Association). This helps stop the flow of physical junk mail, which is a major source of data for these brokers. It costs a few dollars for a ten-year registration, but it’s one of the few ways to cut off the data at the tap.
Finally, set a calendar reminder. Check Fast People Search again in three months. If you’re back on there, repeat the process. It’s a chore, sort of like changing the batteries in your smoke detector. It’s boring, it’s a bit of a pain, but you’ll feel a lot better knowing it’s done.
The internet doesn't forget, but you can certainly make it harder for it to remember. Keep your email addresses separate, keep your searches private, and don't let these brokers profit off your identity without a fight.