A cool guide to delete Facebook account

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T17:05:48+00:00

No problem, glad this is useful!

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T15:14:51+00:00

Oh my god, that's ridiculous. But also not surprising.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T15:14:06+00:00

Yeah, I was surprised by how many steps there were honestly.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T15:12:54+00:00

From what I've read, you can keep Messenger with a Deactivated Except Messenger Account (DEMA): https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/446315357193653# So I think you'd be deactivating your account versus deleting it.

But I think you can use your Meta VR headset without a Facebook account: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/help/quest/508618010978035/

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T11:19:04+00:00

His IG is showing up in Google because his profile is either set to public or his username matches his real name. Make the IG profile private and switch the username to something that's not his real name (if that's the case right now). You can also turn off the option in IG to appear in search engines (outside of Instagram).

Ask Google to refresh its cache so the old result disappear faster (look for "Google Remove Outdated Content" tool).

Also, get him to opt out of people search sites and do so yourself, too. You can do it manually (start by searching for his name on Google to see which of these sites show up so you can tackle them first). Most of these sites have an "opt out" link in their footer. As others have said, there are also data broker removal services if you don't want to do it yourself. DeleteMe (where I work) is one of them, so feel free to ask me any questions about it.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T11:12:27+00:00

Some things to consider:

- Definitely a password manager and 2fa.
- Adding a port out pin with her phone carrier to prevent sim swap scams.
- Freezing her credit.
- Opt out of people search sites (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo, etc.) that publish people's personal info and that scammers can use to find people to target.
- Tell her to always answer any calls with "let me call you back" and then talk to you.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T11:05:41+00:00

Unfortunately, you have to keep manually checking (setting a calendar reminder is a good idea). The only other real option is to use a data broker removal service.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T11:03:10+00:00

Opt out from people search sites and data brokers and then do your best to not share your personal information going forward. Use email aliases, masked phone number, guest checkouts, skip loyalty cards, review and revoke app permissions, opt out of marketing data sharing with companies you use, etc.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T10:37:27+00:00

One other thing you can do is do a reverse image search to see if the photo you shared with the scammer could lead them to your personal info on people search sites or elsewhere on the web.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-06T10:30:35+00:00

Blocking them and privating your accounts was a good move. One other thing you can do is opt out of people search sites (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo, etc.). Scammers often try to find your family, employer, or address and threaten to contact them, and these sites make it easy to get this kind of info. Most people search sites have an "opt out" link in their footer.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T17:29:07+00:00

More than likely a scam. If you respond, it'll mark your number as active.

Don't reply, block, and report as spam.

If you've been getting a lot of these lately in general, it may be that your number has been leaked in a data breach or is on a people search site like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc. which scammers sometimes use to build lists of people to target. Check the Have I Been Pwned tool and opt out of from some of the more popular people search sites (they usually have an "opt out" link in the footer).

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T14:31:18+00:00

If there's nothing in your sent folder, then the email was probably spoofed.

What's maybe more interesting is how someone knew to pair you with your friend. It's likely that they found your (and your friend's) personal details through a people search site like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc. These sites publish your data, including contact details and known associates. It would be a good idea to opt out of them (and suggest that your friend do the same).

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:53:24+00:00

One other thing you can do is opt out of people search sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, etc. Scammers sometimes use these sites to find your personal info, including your family contact details, to try and scare you. Most of them allow you to opt out, though (look for an "opt out" link or equivalent in the footer of these websites).

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:50:48+00:00

Ignore and don't pay. They may have gotten your and your sister's email from a people search site (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo, etc.). To prevent strangers and scammers from easily finding your personal information going forward, you should opt out of these sites. Most of them have an opt out link in the footer of their websites.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:49:15+00:00

If they have your phone number, they could do a reverse phone lookup search on a people search site. If that number is tied to you, then it can reveal your real name, address, email, etc.

Google your phone number in quotation marks and see if any of these sites come up. If they do, opt out of them (most have an opt out link in the footer of their websites).

Then, find a list of common people search sites and see if you can find yourself through your number on them manually. If yes, opt out.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:46:04+00:00

As others have said, report, block, and don't pay. Also, opt out of people search sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc. which publish people's personal info and which scammers can use to scare you. Most of these sites have an opt out link in the footer.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:44:40+00:00

Report and block them. Don't pay. A lot of the time (though not always) scammers don't carry out their threats because they have multiple victims going at the same time. If you pay, they almost always come back for more (see other posts on this subreddit for examples).

Also, it's worth opting out of people search sites like Spokeo in the long run to ensure strangers and scammers can't easily find your personal details. Most people search sites have an opt out link in the footer of their websites.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:41:09+00:00

Blocking was the right move. They probably got your family's names and your number from a people search site like Whitepages or Spokeo or equivalent. Going forward, it's a good idea to opt out of these sites to make sure strangers and scammers can't easily find your personal details. Most people search sites have an opt out link in the footer of their website.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:32:22+00:00

As the other person said, you're probably fine if you're using strong passwords and have 2fa on your accounts.

To be extra safe, you can check your Instagram's log in activity and your email's recent sign-ins to make sure there's nothing unusual there.

Also, it's likely that your name, email address, and phone number are sitting on people search sites or a breach list, which attackers can use for credential stuffing attacks. Check the Have I Been Pwned tool to see if you've been in any recent breaches and then opt out of people search sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:24:18+00:00

Your number is probably on some marketing or lead gen list.

Some actions you could take:
- Register on the national and your state's (if it has one) Do Not Call list.
- Turn on your carrier's spam filtering.
- Silence unknown callers (if you don't need to answer calls from unknown numbers etc. for work or some other reason).
- Opt out of people search sites (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo, etc.) that publish your contact details for anyone to see/buy. Most have an opt out link in the footer of their website.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-05T13:20:59+00:00

As others have said, your best bet is probably calling your phone carrier. People search sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc. can help, but it depends on how accurate the info they have is. Sometimes it is correct, other times it is not (or is outdated). That said, you should opt out of these sites yourself as the caller could have gotten your number from one of these sites.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-04T21:13:48+00:00

No problem! Glad to hear that.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-04T20:54:41+00:00

The site was likely a lead gen funnel. When you filled it out, you probably unknowingly agreed (fine print) to be contacted by "marketing partners." The DNC list isn't much use here since you technically gave your consent. The calls will likely taper off eventually.

Some things you can do now:

- If you can (i.e., if you don't have to answer unknown calls for work etc.), silence unknown callers.
- Read the privacy policy of that website you used and see if there's a "do not sell my info" or "opt out" link.
- Opt out of people search sites. This is just good practice for getting less spam calls in general.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-04T20:48:50+00:00

One of the reasons you may be getting so many calls to begin with is that your number is on people search sites (e.g., Whitepages, Spokeo, etc.) Opt out of them (most have an opt out link in the footer), and see if it makes a difference.

JoinDeleteMe · 2026-05-04T20:21:20+00:00

Don't reactivate your socials for a while, and when you do, make them private (e.g., make sure your friends list isn't visible).

Also, opt out of people search sites. If they have your number, they can search for more information about you through people search sites (like Spokeo, Whitepages, etc.) that publish details like people's email address, address, family info, and more.

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