How Much of Your Personal Information Is Exposed Online?

Nothing new has happened. This is a standing resource. Companies called data brokers collect personal details from public records and other sources, and people-search websites make that information available for anyone to look up.

Almost anyone who has a phone number, a home address, or public records may appear on these sites. Being listed is common. It does not mean you are in danger.

This is ongoing. Listings can change over time, and removed information can sometimes reappear.

Details that may appear in publicly accessible databases include:

• Your full name
• Phone numbers
• Current and past home addresses
• Email addresses
• Date of birth or age
• Names of relatives or people in your household

Incogni offers a free Exposure Scanner. According to Incogni, you enter your email address and it checks for personal information associated with you that may be exposed online. Incogni says no account is needed.

Third-party service: Incogni is an independent service. Senior Life Watchdog does not operate or control Incogni, and we have not independently verified the accuracy of its scan. Running the scan also means agreeing to receive updates from Incogni.

You do not need to buy anything to use the free scan, and Senior Life Watchdog does not recommend any paid service.

These steps are optional. Choose the ones that make sense for you.

1. 1

   Run the free scan if you would like to.

   It can give you a general picture of what may be exposed.

2. 2

   Search for your own name.

   Try your name plus your city in a search engine to see which people-search sites list you.

3. 3

   Ask sites to remove your listing.

   Many people-search sites have an opt-out or removal request page. Use the site's own page and never pay a stranger to do this for you.

4. 4

   Protect your accounts.

   Use strong, different passwords and turn on two-step sign-in for email and bank accounts.

5. 5

   Consider a free credit freeze.

   If you are worried about identity theft, a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion is free and blocks new credit in your name.

6. 6

   Report identity theft if it happens.

   Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the Federal Trade Commission's official site, for a recovery plan.

• A scan does not necessarily reveal every piece of information that exists about you.
• Finding your information online does not mean you have been hacked.
• Being listed does not mean identity theft has occurred.
• You do not need to buy a paid service to protect yourself.

1. CURRENT

   Now

   Incogni's free Exposure Scanner is available on its official website.

Official websites:

• Incogni Free Exposure Scanner (incogni.com)
• IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission)