Good Question: Can I remove my address from websites?

We found out it's possible online too but will take a lot of work.

"A lot of your personal information is accessible right now," Cyber Security expert Sean Phillips said. He's with GreyCastle Security in Rochester.  

To completely nix your address from online public records you'll have to get a P.O. Box, put your purchased home in a trust, and even then it's not bullet proof.

"Someone else can still come in and put information up, unbeknownst to you, and that information is public again," Phillips said.

"You are not the only person submitting information to the internet. Your wife may put in your information, your children may sign up for things online that you don't know about."

Websites spill the beans too. Online shopping sites, free email servers. When you connect to public Wi-Fi, don't just click! Read the fine print.

"Review the terms and make sure what you're doing is not undermining your effort to stay private," Phillips said.

There are services, like the app Delete Me and www.optout.com that will work to scrub your name and address from certain websites, but they cost money and are not perfect.

"They (Delete Me) can request that your information is taken down but that site administer has to comply with that.  For those websites, they are losing data and money so there has to be a reason," Said Phillips.

Taney: If I don't want people to know where I live it sounds like I have to go into the woods and just not tell anyone?

Phillips: Unfortunately. There are steps you can take but you would have to be willing to give up the convenience of access to social media sites. Online shopping sites, even the simple things you use every day like email," said Phillips.

Some websites, like Spokeo, will allow you to go unlisted but you have to contact the administrator.

Below is a list published by optout.com and instructions on how to do that.  One warning: It's a lot of work!

OPTING OUT 

SPOKEO: https://www.spokeo.com/optout

Information from optout.com here:

Directory Assistance Plus

Main URL: www.daplus.us

Privacy URL: http://www.daplus.us/Privacy.aspx

Opt Out URL: http://www.daplus.us/Remove.aspx

Instructions: To be taken off the website, submit a request using the form at: http://www.daplus.us/Remove.aspx

Opt out mailing address, phone number or web link: http://www.daplus.us/Remove.aspx

Fonecart.com

Main URL: www.fonecart.com

Opt Out Info: to be taken off the website, submit a request using the form at: http://fonecart.com/Remove.aspx

Opt out mailing address, phone number or web link: http://fonecart.com/Remove.aspx

Superpages.com

Main URL: www.superpages.com

Privacy URL: http://www.superpages.com/about/privacy.html

WhitePages.com

Main URL: www.whitepages.com

Privacy URL: http://www.whitepages.com/10001/privacy

Opt Out Information: http://www.whitepages.com/10001/cust_serv/removal_form

Opt out mailing address, phone number or web link: http://www.whitepages.com/10001/cust_serv/removal_form

You need to download the Online Opt out form and include name, address, phone number, and email address. After filling out this form, send to the current address listed on the Web site.

Lycos White Pages

Main URL: http://info.lycos.com

Privacy URL: http://info.lycos.com/privacy/privacy.asp

Opt Out Information: http://ldbauth.lycos.com/cgi-bin/mayaRegister?m_PR=19&m_RC=3

In order to remove yourself from Lycos White Pages, you will need to send a request to Lycos Customer Service. Lycos customer service can be contacted via their privacy page in the URL above.

InfoSpace

Main URL: www.infospace.com

Privacy URL: http://www.infospace.com/home/about/corporate/privacy.htm

In order to opt out from Infospace.com white pages directory you will need to search for your listing. Once your listing is found, click the "update or change" link and enter the option which is most appropriate for your needs. You will receive a confirmation email from Infospace confirming your decision to opt out.

AnyWho

Main URL: http://anywho.com/index.html

Privacy URL: http://www.att.com/privacy

Opt Out URL: http://anywho.com/help/privacy_list.html

Opt out mailing address, phone number or web link: http://anywho.com/help/privacy_list.html

To opt out from the anywho directory you will need to follow the current instructions on the opt out page by using the link above. Usually, requests take about 45 days to complete and this service will not work for business listings.

DEX

Main URL: http://www.dexknows.com/displayhome.ds

Privacy URL: http://www.rhd.com/legal/privacy_policy.html

Opt Out URL: http://www.rhd.com/legal/privacy_policy.html

Dex will remove you from their list when you follow the current instructions on the opt out URL above.