5 myths about data broker opt-outs that expose retirees

The article argues that opting out of a few data broker sites does not guarantee that retirees’ personal information stays private. Profiles can persist or return, and details about relatives may still expose family relationships, giving scammers material to make fraud attempts more convincing.

It outlines five misconceptions about opt-outs, including assuming one request removes data everywhere and that relatives’ listings cannot affect you. The article says hundreds of brokers operate in the United States, public records can repopulate profiles, and the FBI’s 2025 report recorded more than 201,000 internet crime complaints from people aged 60 and over, with reported losses exceeding $7.7 billion.