Ever received a package you never ordered? That’s not a happy accident — it’s a brushing scam. And the reason it’s happening is because your home address is sitting on dozens of data broker websites for anyone to find and use. The good news? You can do something about it.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what brushing scams are, why data brokers are the root of the problem, and most importantly how to get your address removed step by step.
What Is a Brushing Scam (And Why Should You Care)?
A brushing scam happens when a shady online seller ships you an unsolicited package usually something cheap like seeds, a small gadget, or jewelry and then uses your name to post a fake “verified purchase” review on their own product listing.
They benefit by boosting their seller ratings. You get a random box at your door and a creeping feeling that someone out there knows your full name and address.
This is the core problem: these sellers aren’t guessing your address. They’re buying it — cheaply and easily from data broker websites.
What Are Data Broker Sites?
Data brokers are companies that collect, compile, and sell personal information. This includes your:
- Full name
- Home address (current and past)
- Phone number
- Email address
- Age and date of birth
- Family members’ names
- Employment history
They pull this data from public records, loyalty programs, social media, voter registration databases, and more. Sites like Spokeo, WhitePages, Intelius, BeenVerified, and MyLife are among the most well-known.
The scary part? Most people have no idea their information is even listed. And sellers running brushing scams pay pennies to access thousands of records — including yours.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Your Address from Data Broker Sites
This process takes some time and patience, but it’s 100% worth it.
Step 1: Start With the Big Players
Focus on the most commonly used data broker sites first. Here’s how to opt out of the top ones:
WhitePages Go to whitepages.com/suppression_requests, search for your listing, and submit an opt-out request. You’ll need to verify via phone call or email.
Spokeo Visit spokeo.com/optout, enter the URL of your specific listing, and submit your email to confirm removal.
BeenVerified Head to beenverified.com/opt-out, search your name, select your profile, and fill out the opt-out form.
Intelius Go to intelius.com/opt-out and follow the instructions to remove your listing.
MyLife Email privacy@mylife.com directly and request removal. This one can take a few days.
PeopleFinder / PeopleFinders Visit peoplefinders.com/opt-out and submit your request through their form.
Each site has its own process, and some are more straightforward than others. Expect to spend around 10–15 minutes per site.
Step 2: Use Google to Find More Listings
Search your full name + city in Google (e.g., “John Smith Chicago”). You’ll likely find more sites you didn’t know about. Visit each one and look for an “opt-out,” “do not sell my data,” or “remove my information” link usually found in the footer.
Step 3: Consider a Data Removal Service
Manually opting out of 50–200+ data broker sites is realistic but exhausting. If you’d rather automate the process, paid services like DeleteMe, Kanary, or Privacy Bee handle removal requests on your behalf and keep re-submitting them, since brokers often re-add data over time.
These services typically cost $10–$15/month and are worth considering if you’ve been targeted by brushing scams or are concerned about identity theft.
Step 4: Lock Down the Source
Removing your data from brokers is only half the battle. You also need to stop the leaks:
- Opt out of marketing lists — Unsubscribe from email lists and retailer loyalty programs that share data.
- Use a P.O. Box for online shopping instead of your home address.
- Limit what you post on social media — Your location, workplace, and neighborhood details are gold mines for data collectors.
- Check your state’s privacy laws — If you’re in California (CCPA), Virginia (VCDPA), or Colorado (CPA), you have stronger legal rights to request data deletion.
Step 5: Monitor Your Address Regularly
Set a Google Alert for your full name. This won’t catch everything, but it helps you spot new listings. You can also re-run the Google search every few months to check if your address has reappeared on any sites.
Some data brokers are persistent they repopulate removed listings within weeks. This is why ongoing monitoring (or a paid removal service) is important for long-term protection.
What to Do If You’re Already a Brushing Scam Victim
If you’ve already received an unsolicited package, here’s what to do:
- Don’t return it — You’re legally allowed to keep unsolicited packages in most countries.
- Report it — File a complaint with the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) and the platform the seller used (Amazon, eBay, etc.).
- Check your accounts — While brushing scams don’t involve financial theft, it’s a sign your data is out there. Check for any unusual account activity.
- Change your passwords — Especially on shopping accounts. Use a password manager for stronger security.
How Long Does the Removal Process Take?
Most opt-out requests are processed within 24 hours to 30 days, depending on the site. Some, like MyLife, can take longer. The key is to be persistent, if a site doesn’t remove your listing within the promised window, follow up or escalate.
If you’re using a removal service, most provide a dashboard where you can track the status of each request in real time.
(FAQs)
Q1: Is it free to remove my address from data broker sites?
Yes, most data broker sites offer free opt-out options. The process is manual and time-consuming, but you don’t have to pay anything to request removal. Paid services like DeleteMe automate the process for a monthly fee.
Q2: Will my information stay removed permanently?
Not always. Some data brokers re-add your information after a few months by pulling from updated public records. It’s important to monitor regularly or use a service that handles ongoing removal on your behalf.
Q3: Can removing my address stop brushing scams completely?
It significantly reduces the risk. Once your address is removed from major data broker databases, it becomes much harder for scammers to find and use it. Combine removal with a P.O. Box for online shopping for the best protection.
Final Thoughts
Brushing scams are a sign of a bigger problem: your personal data is too easy to find. Taking your address off data broker sites isn’t just about stopping mystery packages — it’s about protecting your privacy, reducing your risk of identity theft, and taking back control of your digital footprint.
Start with the big data broker sites, work your way through Google results, and consider a removal service if the manual process feels overwhelming. Either way, starting today puts you miles ahead.
Your address is your home. It shouldn’t be a public listing.
