Why I used Incogni to wipe my info off the internet
I got this note the other day from Mike S. (Hi, Mike! 👋): “Next time you talk about Incogni, maybe you can do a deep dive?”
Mike, you’re not the only reader who’s asked for a more in-depth look at how Incogni works and why I chose it to wipe my info from data broker sites. I picked this service before they became a sponsor. So, without further ado …
It all started with a conversation
My son, Ian, asked me where I used to live in Los Angeles. A few minutes later, he found the address — available free for anyone and everyone on a people-search site. I was shocked to see my date of birth listed, too, along with links to all my relatives, my mother’s landline number, her cellphone number and my own cellphone number.
An estimated 4,000 companies and sites collect personal info, and they make it extremely hard to get your data removed. Why? Because they make a big profit by selling it.
It’s more than your name, address and phone number
Data brokers track and sell details to marketing companies, scammers, thieves and insurance companies. This includes your email addresses, social media accounts, employment history, education, car ownership, court records, shopping habits, political affiliations and even medical conditions. They paint a frighteningly complete picture of your life — and it’s one you never agreed to share.
Data breaches and leaks put everything from your banking info to your Social Security number on the internet and the Dark Web. Search for your name online, and you’ll find yourself listed all over the place.
I went on a mission to delete as much as I could
My first stop: Data broker sites. Here’s a quick look at how to remove yourself:
- Scour the internet for your data. You’ll need to dig through countless people-search sites that bury your personal information on hard-to-find pages.
- Navigate the tedious removal process for each site. Every data broker and people-search site has its own convoluted removal process. Some require proof of identity, notarized documents or snail-mailing forms. Others outright ignore your requests, forcing you to start all over again.
- Meticulously track your removal efforts. Keep a log of every site, submission date and response (or lack thereof). Miss a step, and your data might stay visible or reappear without warning.
- Constantly monitor your online presence. You’ll need to regularly revisit every site you’ve requested your info be removed from, because your data often reappears.
Now, I spent 36 hours trying to do all this myself, and I finally gave up when I realized I wasn’t making any real progress. That’s when I researched services to do this for me.
I tried several but ultimately picked Incogni because it offered the biggest bang for the buck and worked the best. The company finds and automatically pulls your info from data-broker companies and sites that sell it to anyone willing to pay.
How Incogni’s data-broker removal service works
- Sign up and create an account. (Heads-up: This link gets you a year of Incogni’s privacy protection for 60% off.)
- You’ll need to give your full name, email address, home address, phone number and birth date. Sites require this info to remove your data. You’ll also grant Incogni permission to reach out on your behalf.
- After you finish the setup process, you see your dashboard. It lists sites you’ve been removed from, along with pending requests.
Incogni has saved me 735 hours and 45 minutes. I’m out of 981 sites and on 40 suppression lists. (Can you tell I absolutely stand behind what Incogni does?) I have a lot more to say about them, but there’s just not enough room here.
✅ Hit my site for more important things you should know before you use Incogni, plus a full pricing breakdown.
Ready to jump in? Try Incogni for 30 days. If you’re not completely satisfied, you’ll get your money back. Use this link to get 60% off an annual plan. I don’t get any kickbacks; I’m just glad you can stay safe and protect your privacy with the service I use and recommend!
Tags: cybersecurity, data brokers, Incogni, internet, people-search sites, privacy, security
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