At PrivacyHawk, we know how important it is to safeguard your personal information. That’s why we provide tools to help protect your identity and reduce your digital footprint. One area where we’ve received questions is the distinction between our Data Broker Removal Tool and our Dark Web/Data Breach Alerts, especially for Platinum users. This guide is designed to clarify how these two features work and how they are intended to help you stay protected.
What Is the Data Broker Removal Tool?
The Data Broker Removal Tool is a proactive feature designed to remove your personal data from data broker websites. Data brokers collect and sell your information to third parties, often without your knowledge. This tool:
Performs a scan of people-searching sites data brokers to find where your information is listed.
Automatically initiates removals of your data from these brokers.
Removes personal information over a period of 30 to 90 days, depending on the data broker’s response time.
Continuously monitors for new listings and re-submits removal requests if your data reappears.
By reducing your presence on these broker sites, this tool helps protect you from unwanted solicitation, fraud, and identity theft.
What Are Dark Web/Data Breach Alerts?
The Dark Web/Data Breach Alerts feature is part of our Identity Theft Protection Tool. It is a monitoring service that keeps an eye on the dark web for any signs that your personal information (items submitted for monitoring within the tool) has been exposed in a breach. If we detect your data on the dark web, we send you an alert.
Alerts you when your data is found on the dark web (such as login credentials, social security numbers, or financial information).
Helps you take action quickly by notifying you as soon as your data appears in a breach.
Keeps you informed about potential identity theft risks so you can act before any damage occurs.
It’s important to understand that these are alerts only—they notify you of potential risks but do not remove or resolve the issue directly. When you receive a Dark Web alert, action is required on your part to address the risk.
Why Don’t We Remove Data Found in Dark Web Breaches?
While the Data Broker Removal Tool actively removes your information from broker websites, data found on the dark web cannot be removed in the same way. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where stolen or illegally obtained data is often traded or sold. Once your data appears there, it’s typically not something that can be "taken down."
Instead, the purpose of Dark Web Alerts is to give you early warning that your data is compromised so you can take steps to secure your accounts or other affected areas. These steps might include:
Changing your passwords immediately if login credentials were exposed.
Monitoring your financial accounts for suspicious activity.
Enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts for added security.
Contacting your bank or credit card provider to report any fraudulent charges.
At PrivacyHawk, our role is to alert you to these breaches so that you can act quickly and protect yourself from further harm.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Dark Web/Data Breach Alert?
Receiving a Dark Web alert can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to know that you’re in control and can take steps to secure your information. Here’s what we recommend:
Review the Alert Details:
Read the notification carefully to understand which piece of your data was exposed.
Pay attention to whether it's a password, credit card number, or other sensitive information.
Change Passwords Immediately:
If the breach involves login credentials, update your passwords for any accounts using that information.
Use a unique, strong password for each account.
Consider using a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Where possible, turn on two-factor authentication for all accounts. This adds an extra layer of protection even if your password is compromised.
Monitor Financial Accounts:
If the breach involves financial data (such as credit card numbers), closely monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
Consider freezing your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
Contact Relevant Institutions:
Notify your bank, credit card company, or any other institution associated with the breached data. They can help you take further steps to protect your accounts.
Contact our Support Center:
As a Platinum user, you already have access to PrivacyHawk's Identity Theft Protection tool, which monitors for identity theft risks. However, we advise reaching out directly to our support center to address these alerts at +1 833-568-624.
At PrivacyHawk, our goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge to protect your personal information. While the Data Broker Removal Tool helps reduce your digital footprint, Dark Web Breach Alerts notify you when a potential threat has been detected. We hope this guide helps clarify how these two features work, and what you can do if your data is exposed.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is always here to help. Feel free to reach out anytime!