Learn What Data Brokers Know About You

What Data Brokers Are and How They Operate

Data brokers are companies that collect, buy, and sell personal information about individuals. They gather data from many sources and package it into profiles that they sell to other businesses. Understanding what these companies do is the first step toward understanding your digital footprint.

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Data brokers don't typically interact with you directly. Instead, they work behind the scenes, collecting information from public records, online activities, purchases, and other sources. Some of the largest data brokers include companies like Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, Acxiom, and CoreLogic. These companies have been operating for decades, but most people have never heard of them.

The business model is straightforward: data brokers collect vast amounts of information and sell access to it or sell compiled reports. They sell to employers, insurance companies, financial institutions, marketing firms, and other organizations. A single data broker may maintain files on millions of people. The information might include your address, phone number, email, purchase history, browsing habits, credit information, and much more.

Data brokers obtain information from multiple channels. Public records—such as property ownership, court documents, and voter registration—are one major source. They also purchase data from retailers, financial institutions, and online services. Some data brokers use data harvesting tools that track online behavior. They may also obtain information through data aggregators that compile information from various sources.

The scale of data collection is massive. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), data brokers collectively maintain billions of data points on American consumers. A 2014 FTC study found that nine major data brokers had compiled data on nearly every American consumer. While some data brokers have shut down or consolidated since then, the industry remains substantial.

Practical Takeaway: Data brokers operate largely out of public view. They collect information from many sources and package it into profiles they sell to businesses. Knowing that these companies exist and understanding their basic operation helps you take informed steps about your information.

Types of Information Data Brokers Collect

Data brokers collect a wide range of information about you. This information falls into several categories, each revealing different aspects of your life and habits.

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Contact information is the most basic category. This includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Data brokers collect multiple versions of this information—they may have current addresses, previous addresses, alternative phone numbers, and multiple email accounts linked to you. This information is among the most frequently bought and sold by data brokers.

Financial information is another major category. This includes credit history, credit scores, banking information, and payment habits. Data brokers obtain this from credit reporting agencies, financial institutions, and payment processors. They may know your credit limits, payment history, and outstanding debts. Some data brokers specialize in financial information and maintain detailed profiles of your creditworthiness.

Purchase and transaction history represents what you have bought and where. Data brokers track retail purchases, online shopping, subscription services, and even restaurant visits. Some data brokers have compiled information on billions of retail transactions. They may know your preferred brands, shopping patterns, and spending amounts. This information is particularly valuable to marketing companies.

Household information includes details about your family members, household size, and living situation. Data brokers may know if you rent or own, the value of your home, whether you have children, the ages of children, and family member names and relationships. This information helps companies target marketing toward specific household types.

Online behavior and internet activity is increasingly tracked. This includes websites you visit, searches you conduct, apps you use, and content you view. Data brokers use tracking cookies, pixels, and other technologies to monitor online activity. They may maintain profiles of your interests based on browsing history.

Health and lifestyle information is sometimes collected. This may include information about health conditions, medications, insurance coverage, gym memberships, and health-related searches. Some data brokers obtain this through partnerships with health retailers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers.

Demographic and personal characteristics include age, gender, race, religion, education level, and employment status. Data brokers compile this information from various sources and use it to create demographic profiles for marketing purposes.

Practical Takeaway: Data brokers collect information across many categories—from basic contact details to financial records to online behavior. Understanding what categories of information exist helps you recognize what data about you may have been collected and what you might want to check on.

How to Find Out What Data Brokers Know About You

Several methods exist to discover what information data brokers have collected about you. These methods range from checking standard credit reports to requesting information directly from data brokers.

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Credit reports are the most regulated form of data broker information. Three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—maintain credit files on most Americans. You may obtain a free credit report from each of these agencies once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official source authorized by federal law. Your credit report contains information about your credit accounts, payment history, and reported debts. This is a good starting point for understanding what financial information data brokers hold about you.

Consumer reports from specialty consumer reporting agencies provide additional information. Beyond credit reports, dozens of other companies compile consumer information. These include specialty agencies that focus on insurance, rental history, banking, and other areas. The FTC maintains a list of specialty consumer reporting agencies. You may request a free report from many of these agencies once per year under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Direct requests to data brokers represent another approach. Many data brokers have processes for individuals to request their information. Some states have passed laws requiring data brokers to allow consumers to request what information is held about them. California's Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws grant residents the right to request information. If you live in a state with such laws, you may send a request to a data broker asking what information they maintain about you.

Privacy websites and services maintain databases of known data brokers and offer templates for requesting your information. Websites like PrivacyRights.org and the FTC's website provide information about major data brokers and instructions for requesting your data. Some privacy-focused services have created tools to help you submit requests to multiple data brokers simultaneously.

A practical step is to start by checking your credit report, then identify which other data brokers may hold information about you, and send requests to those companies. Keep records of your requests and responses. Some data brokers respond quickly, while others take weeks or months. A few data brokers may not respond or may claim they don't maintain information on you when they do.

When you receive your data, review it carefully. Look for inaccuracies, outdated information, or data you don't recognize. This information is what companies are buying and using to make decisions about you.

Practical Takeaway: You can obtain information about what data brokers know about you by requesting free credit reports, requesting reports from specialty agencies, and submitting direct requests to data brokers under state privacy laws. Start with your credit report, then expand to other agencies and data brokers.

The Impact of Data Broker Information on Your Life

The information that data brokers collect and sell affects your life in concrete ways. Understanding these impacts helps explain why learning about data broker information matters.

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Credit and lending decisions are directly influenced by credit reporting agency data. When you apply for a loan, mortgage, credit card, or other credit product, lenders use credit reports and scores from data brokers. Inaccurate information on your credit report can result in higher interest rates or denial of credit. According to the FTC, millions of Americans discover errors on their credit reports each year. These errors can cost thousands of dollars in higher interest rates over the life of a loan.

Insurance rates are based partly on data broker information. Insurance companies use consumer data to set premiums and determine whether to insure you. Some insurance companies use data about health conditions, lifestyle factors, and claims history obtained from data brokers. This can result in higher premiums or insurance denial. In some cases, insurance companies use information that is outdated or incorrect.

Employment decisions may be influenced by data broker information. Some employers use background check services and consumer reports when making hiring decisions. These reports may include criminal history, credit information, or other data. If this information is inaccurate or incomplete, it could affect your employment prospects. Some employers may also use data broker information to screen out candidates based on