How to File a Complaint with the Better Business Bureau

If a data broker is not complying with its stated opt-out procedure, we recommend filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. In this guide, we used MyLife as an example. Just follow the steps below:

How to File a Complaint with the Better Business Bureau

1. Go to https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the green “Start your complaint” button.

2. Check the data broker’s website for an address. This might be on their homepage, their ‘About Us’ section, or their ‘Contact Us’ section. Most data brokers are based in the US. Select “businesses privacy policy or practices” for the nature of the complaint. Answer the question about where the personal data was collected. Finally, answer the question about active duty. Click “Next”.

3. Search for the data broker. You can verify which result is correct by matching the listed address with the one on their website. Click “Select”.

4. You will be redirected to the Better Business Bureau office that is local to the data broker. Click “Continue”.

5. Answer the yes-or-no questions. The answers will probably all be “No” except for the final one, if you have tried to get in touch with the data broker’s customer service. Click “Submit”.

6. Indicate the address associated with the data broker and click “Next”.

7. Mark the complaint as “Consumer to Business” and fill in your information. Click “Next”.

8. Answer “No” to the question about the complaint involving a health issue. Select “Customer Service Issues” as the best fit for your complaint. Click “Next”.

9. Summarize and describe your your complaint. In the second part, include as many details as possible.

10. Choose “Finish the job” as the desired resolution, and explain it in the next question. Tell when you last contacted the business and whether you are willing to speak to the media. Include any special instructions in the last box. Click “Submit”.

11. Your complaint is submitted. You can check its status using the link at the bottom of the page. The BBB allows the business 30 days to respond to the request, and they will notify you when they receive a response.