Data brokers build profiles from public records, purchases, online activity and information obtained from other companies.
Why it matters
A broker’s profile can influence marketing, identity checks, risk decisions and scams even when you have never dealt with that company directly. The information may also be old, incomplete or attached to the wrong person.
What you can do
Find out which brokers hold your information, review their privacy and opt-out processes, and keep a record of requests you make. Deletion from one broker does not automatically remove copies held elsewhere.