The Hidden Consumer Files

What Data Brokers Know About You

A comprehensive investigation reveals how consumer reporting agencies collect and monetize vast amounts of personal data—and what you can do about it

Most Americans are familiar with their credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. But far fewer know about the expansive consumer files maintained by data brokers like LexisNexis Risk Solutions, which compile detailed profiles that extend far beyond traditional credit information. These "phantom reports" can include everything from decades-old bankruptcies to arrest records that never resulted in convictions—information that can affect insurance rates, employment opportunities, and even housing applications.

What Are Consumer File Reports?

Consumer file reports, also known as full disclosure reports, are comprehensive dossiers maintained by specialized consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Unlike traditional credit reports, these files include real estate transaction data, lien and judgment records, professional license information, and historical addresses. LexisNexis Risk Solutions, one of the largest providers, offers these reports through its Consumer Disclosure system.

The reports include items such as real estate transaction and ownership data, lien, judgment, and bankruptcy records, professional license information, and historical addresses. What makes these reports particularly concerning is their scope and longevity—information that would typically fall off traditional credit reports after seven to ten years may persist indefinitely in these consumer files.

The Scope of Data Collection

Our investigation found that consumer file reports typically contain several categories of information:

Financial History

• Credit accounts and payment history extending beyond traditional reporting periods
• Bankruptcies, foreclosures, and judgments that may be decades old
• Property ownership records and mortgage transactions
• Tax assessments and liens

Personal Records

• Current and previous addresses, including detailed residential history
• Phone numbers, email addresses, and aliases
• Employment history and professional licenses
• Vehicle registration data and driver violation histories

Legal and Criminal Records

• Arrest records, even when no charges were filed
• Incarceration and parole information
• Court filings, including evictions and lawsuits
• Civil judgments and small claims actions

Insurance and Risk Data

• Auto and homeowners insurance claims history
• Policy information and loss claims going back seven years
• Risk scores used for insurance underwriting
• Behavioral models and predictive analytics

How These Reports Affect Consumers

The data broker industry's secret algorithms can be used to determine the interest rates on mortgages and credit cards, raise consumers' interest rates, or deny people jobs. Companies use our tools to verify identities in order to offer loans, quote insurance rates, and offer government assisted benefits.

Recent research has highlighted concerning practices in the industry. A UC Irvine study of all 543 state-registered data brokers found a pattern of "rampant noncompliance" with California law mandating that they respond in a timely manner to consumer inquiries, with 43 percent failing to reply to consumer requests.

Regulatory Response

Federal agencies have taken notice of growing privacy concerns. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a rule in December 2024 to rein in data brokers that sell Americans' sensitive personal and financial information. However, on May 15, 2025, the CFPB withdrew its proposed rule titled "Protecting Consumer Information from Harmful Data Broker Practices".

California has implemented the DELETE Act, requiring data brokers to register and pay an annual fee of $6,600, with the California Privacy Protection Agency creating a statewide Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) allowing consumers to submit a single request to delete their personal data from all registered data brokers.

How to Access Your Consumer File Report

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can request one free copy of your LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report during a 12-month period. Here's how:

Online Request

1. Visit consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com
2. Complete the online request form with proper identification
3. You will receive a message via US Mail within the timeframe allowed by law with instructions to access your report online

Mail Request

1. Download and complete the printable request form from the LexisNexis website
2. Send to: LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Center, P.O. Box [address provided on form]
3. Reports are returned via U.S. mail in approximately 30 to 60 days after LexisNexis receives proof of identification

Required Information

• Full name and any aliases
• Current address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Government-issued photo ID

Interpreting Your Report

Consumer file reports can exceed 100 pages and differ significantly from standard credit reports. Key sections to review include:

Personal Identifying Information Verify all names, addresses, phone numbers, and employment history for accuracy.

Credit History Look for accounts that don't belong to you or information that should have aged off your credit report.

Public Records Check for bankruptcies, liens, judgments, or criminal records that are inaccurate or don't belong to you.

Professional Information Review business licenses, professional affiliations, and corporate roles for accuracy.

Disputing Inaccurate Information

LexisNexis strives to direct individuals to the government and private entities that collect and maintain public records and publicly available information to correct any claimed inaccuracies found in that data.

For Credit-Related Disputes First dispute with the original credit reporting agency (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion), then follow up with LexisNexis.

For Other Information Contact LexisNexis directly through their dispute process. You can request a Description of Process Letter from LexisNexis with the status of your disputes in their system.

Protecting Your Privacy

LexisNexis offers information suppression for individuals at risk of physical harm, such as law enforcement personnel, judges, or domestic violence victims. However, LexisNexis does not suppress personal information from databases used by law enforcement customers or from products regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The Broader Privacy Landscape

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse identified 750 unique data broker groups operating across the country as of April 2025. Data brokers collect and aggregate many types of personal information: names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, gender, age, marital status, children, education, profession, income, political preferences, and cars and real estate owned.

The lack of comprehensive regulation around data privacy allows data brokers to operate with little oversight, unlike the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union.

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SIDEBAR: Effectiveness of Privacy Protection Services

Consumer Reports Study Reveals Mixed Results

A comprehensive Consumer Reports study released in August 2024 evaluated the effectiveness of seven popular data removal services, finding that many of them are "largely ineffective" with only 35% of data successfully removed after four months. The study tested services ranging from $19.99 to $249 per year using 32 volunteers and 13 people-search sites.

Performance Rankings Based on four-month effectiveness rates:

1. Optery: 68% success rate - Covers 600+ data brokers with comprehensive scanning
2. EasyOptOuts: 65% success rate - Most affordable at $19.99/year
3. DeleteMe: 27% success rate - Despite premium pricing and marketing claims
4. Kanary, IDX: Mid-level performers
5. Confidently, ReputationDefender: 4-6% success rates

Key Findings

Manual opt-outs proved more effective than automated services, with 70% success within one week compared to 0-58.7% for removal services. However, manual removal requires significant time investment—potentially several days of work.

Top-Rated Services in 2024-2025

Incogni (Starting at $8.29/month)

• Covers 270+ data brokers with automated removal
• Uses GDPR, CCPA, and PIPEDA privacy laws for enforcement
• Offers unlimited custom requests on higher tiers
• International coverage including EU, UK, and North America

Aura ($12-45/month)

• All-in-one privacy powerhouse with $1 million insurance policy
• Includes identity theft monitoring, credit alerts, VPN, and antivirus
• Data removal from 270+ brokers plus comprehensive fraud protection

DeleteMe ($8.71-20+/month)

• Claims coverage of 750+ brokers but standard plan covers ~100
• Over 100 million personal listings removed since 2010
• Offers custom removal requests and privacy advisor support

Optery ($3.99-24.99/month)

• Covers 370+ data brokers with transparent reporting
• Free tier available with basic scanning
• Provides screenshots and detailed removal reports

Critical Limitations

Privacy protection services face several challenges:

• A 2024 Consumer Reports study found services were less effective than manual removal in most cases
• Data often reappears on broker sites after removal
• Many services use misleading marketing about broker coverage
• Financial partnerships exist between some removal services and people-search sites

Best Practices for Service Selection

1. Verify actual coverage: Many services advertise inflated broker numbers
2. Check for unlimited custom requests: Essential for comprehensive protection
3. Consider manual removal first: Often more effective but time-intensive
4. Monitor continuously: Data removal is an ongoing process, not one-time fix
5. Read the fine print: Some services have concerning data-sharing policies

Bottom Line While no service achieves complete data removal, some offer meaningful protection when used as part of a broader privacy strategy. The most effective approach combines automated services with manual verification and ongoing monitoring.

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Recommendations

Immediate Actions

1. Request your LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Report annually
2. Review all information for accuracy and dispute errors
3. Monitor for signs of identity theft beyond traditional credit monitoring
4. Consider security freezes where available
5. Try manual opt-outs first for major people-search sites

Ongoing Protection

1. Be cautious about what personal information you share online
2. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media and apps
3. Stay informed about data privacy legislation in your state
4. Consider reputable data removal services as part of a comprehensive strategy
5. Monitor removed data for reappearance

Legislative Advocacy Support comprehensive federal privacy legislation that would provide uniform protections and give consumers greater control over their personal data.

The digital age has created unprecedented opportunities for data collection and analysis, but it has also exposed consumers to new privacy risks. Understanding what information is collected about you—and how to access and correct it—is an essential part of protecting your financial and personal privacy in the 21st century.

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Sources

1. LexisNexis Risk Solutions Consumer Disclosure. "Access Your File." https://consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/
2. LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Consumer and Data Access Policies." https://risk.lexisnexis.com/consumer-and-data-access-policies
3. LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "Individual Requests for Information Suppression." https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/privacy/for-consumers/opt-out-of-lexisnexis.page
4. Electronic Privacy Information Center. "Data Brokers." https://epic.org/issues/consumer-privacy/data-brokers/
5. UC Irvine News. "UC Irvine probe into state data brokers raises legal and privacy concerns." July 22, 2025. https://news.uci.edu/2025/07/22/uc-irvine-probe-into-state-data-brokers-raises-legal-and-privacy-concerns/
6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "CFPB Proposes Rule to Stop Data Brokers from Selling Sensitive Personal Data to Scammers, Stalkers, and Spies." December 3, 2024. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-proposes-rule-to-stop-data-brokers-from-selling-sensitive-personal-data-to-scammers-stalkers-and-spies/
7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Credit reporting requirements (FCRA)." July 1, 2025. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/compliance/compliance-resources/other-applicable-requirements/fair-credit-reporting-act/
8. California Privacy Protection Agency. "Information for Data Brokers." https://cppa.ca.gov/data_brokers/
9. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. "Data Brokers." April 2025. https://privacyrights.org/data-brokers
10. CNBC. "What internet data brokers have on you — and how you can start to get it back." October 11, 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/11/internet-data-brokers-online-privacy-personal-information.html
11. Electronic Privacy Information Center. "The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)." https://epic.org/fcra/
12. Federal Trade Commission. "Fair Credit Reporting Act." April 3, 2024. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act
13. Consumer Reports. "Consumer Reports evaluation of people-search site removal services finds that they are largely ineffective." August 8, 2024. https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-evaluation-of-people-search-site-removal-services-finds-that-they-are-largely-ineffective/
14. The Record. "Consumer Reports study finds data removal services are often ineffective." August 8, 2024. https://therecord.media/data-removal-services-mostly-worthless-study
15. Consumer Reports. "Services That Delete Your Data From People-Search Sites Don't Work Very Well, Study Finds." https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/personal-information/services-that-delete-data-from-people-search-sites-review-a2705843415/
16. Security.org. "The Best Data Removal Services of 2025." https://www.security.org/data-removal/best/
17. Cybernews. "The Best Data Removal Services in 2025." June 19, 2025. https://cybernews.com/privacy-tools/best-data-removal-services/
18. OneRep. "DeleteMe Review 2025: Is It Worth It For Online Privacy Protection?" February 6, 2025. https://onerep.com/blog/deleteme-review
19. AllAboutCookies. "I Tested 10+ Best Data Removal Tools — Here Are My Favorites." July 2025. https://allaboutcookies.org/best-data-removal-service
20. Aura. "The 8 Best Data Removal Services (Rated and Reviewed)." https://www.aura.com/learn/best-data-broker-removal-services

The "Ghost" Report That's Ruining Your Life - YouTube

‘Starting Today’—Microsoft Confirms Free Windows Update

Microsoft Offers Free Windows 10 Security Updates as End-of-Support Deadline Looms

Tech giant introduces Extended Security Updates program with multiple enrollment options as October 2025 deadline approaches

July 23, 2025

Microsoft Corporation has announced a significant policy shift regarding Windows 10's end-of-life timeline, offering users multiple pathways to receive free security updates for an additional year beyond the operating system's scheduled end-of-support date. The move comes as the tech giant faces the reality that more than half of Windows users worldwide continue to rely on the decade-old operating system.

The End-of-Support Challenge

Windows 10, which launched in July 2015, is set to reach its official end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. After nearly a decade of service, Microsoft will cease providing security updates, feature updates, and technical support for the platform. However, with Windows 10 maintaining a 53.19% global market share compared to Windows 11's 43% as of May 2025, Microsoft faces the prospect of leaving hundreds of millions of devices vulnerable to security threats.

"As technology evolves, phasing out older operating systems and upgrading to newer versions is a natural part of the lifecycle—one that helps ensure you have the latest security features and innovations," Microsoft Executive Vice President Yusuf Mehdi explained in a recent blog post. "We understand that moving to a new PC can take time, and we're here to support you every step of the way."

The Extended Security Updates Solution

Microsoft's answer to this challenge is the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which the company describes as a "last resort option" designed to provide a bridge for users transitioning to newer platforms. The program will deliver monthly critical and important security updates from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026.

What sets this program apart from previous ESU offerings is Microsoft's introduction of free enrollment options alongside the traditional paid tier. Starting in July 2025, Windows 10 users can choose from three enrollment pathways:

Free Options:

1. Windows Backup Integration: Users can enroll at no cost by enabling Windows Backup to sync their PC settings to Microsoft's cloud via a Microsoft Account
2. Microsoft Rewards Redemption: Users with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points can redeem them for free ESU access

Paid Option:

3. Direct Payment: Users can pay $30 USD (with local pricing variations) for one year of extended security updates

Technical Requirements and Limitations

To be eligible for the ESU program, devices must be running Windows 10, version 22H2. Users can utilize their ESU license on up to 10 devices once enrolled, and enrollment is possible at any time until the program ends on October 13, 2026.

However, the program comes with important limitations. ESU coverage includes only critical and important security updates as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center. The program does not provide new features, non-security updates, design change requests, or technical support.

Corporate and Enterprise Options

For commercial organizations, Microsoft offers ESU subscriptions at $61 USD per device for the first year, with annual renewals available for up to three years at increasing costs. This option is currently available through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program and will be offered by Cloud Service Providers starting September 1, 2025.

Organizations with Windows 10 devices accessing Windows 11 Cloud PCs through Windows 365 or Virtual Machines are entitled to ESU at no additional cost and will automatically receive security updates.

Strategic Implications

Industry analysts view Microsoft's decision to offer free ESU options as a strategic move to maintain user engagement with Microsoft's ecosystem while encouraging cloud service adoption. The Windows Backup option effectively requires users to utilize Microsoft's OneDrive service, which provides 5GB of free storage but encourages upgrades to paid Microsoft 365 subscriptions for additional capacity.

"If you're paying for Microsoft 365 – likely to get Office 365 – then you get a year more of updates," noted technology publication The Register in their analysis of the program.

Current Rollout Status

The ESU enrollment wizard is currently available to Windows Insiders and began rolling out to Windows 10 customers in July 2025, with broad availability expected by mid-August. Users will see enrollment options through notifications and in Settings under Update & Security > Windows Update when the feature becomes available on their devices.

Microsoft's Broader Windows 11 Push

While offering the ESU program, Microsoft continues to emphasize Windows 11 as the preferred path forward. The company has been promoting the performance and security benefits of Windows 11, particularly highlighting new Copilot+ PCs and the integration of AI-powered features.

"Windows 11 is the faster, better, safer option Microsoft wants the 700 million Windows 10 holdouts to move to," the company has stated, while acknowledging the practical challenges users face in upgrading hardware that may not meet Windows 11's system requirements.

Recent data from Microsoft indicates that Windows 11 24H2 has achieved significant reliability improvements, with failure rates for unexpected restarts dropping by 24% compared to Windows 10 22H2.

Looking Ahead

The ESU program represents a temporary solution designed to provide users with additional time to plan their transition strategy. Microsoft has made clear that the program is not intended as a long-term alternative to upgrading but rather as a bridge to help users maintain security during their migration to newer platforms.

As the October 2025 deadline approaches, Windows 10 users face a critical decision point: upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware supports it, purchase new Windows 11-compatible devices, enroll in the ESU program for extended security support, or accept the risks of running an unsupported operating system.

The success of Microsoft's ESU program may ultimately determine how smoothly the technology industry navigates one of the largest operating system transitions in recent history, affecting hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

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SIDEBAR: Microsoft's Windows 11 Strategy - The Subscription Economy Shift- You Will Own Nothing and be Happy

Microsoft's approach to Windows 11 represents a fundamental shift in the company's business model, moving from traditional one-time software purchases toward a recurring revenue subscription economy that promises enhanced corporate profits and predictable income streams.

The Subscription Revenue Model

Under CEO Satya Nadella's leadership, Microsoft has systematically transformed its product portfolio into subscription-based services. Windows 11's integration with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and cloud services creates multiple touchpoints for recurring revenue generation. The "free" ESU program requiring Windows Backup exemplifies this strategy - users must engage with Microsoft's cloud ecosystem, often leading to paid Microsoft 365 subscriptions for additional storage and features.

Industry analysts estimate that Microsoft's commercial cloud revenue has grown to over $100 billion annually, with Office 365 and related services contributing significantly to this figure. The Windows 11 ecosystem is designed to funnel users into this high-margin subscription model.

Hardware Partnership Revenue Streams

Windows 11's stringent hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 chips and specific processor generations, effectively force hardware upgrades across the global PC market. Microsoft benefits through:

• OEM Licensing Fees: Every new Windows 11 PC generates licensing revenue
• Surface Device Sales: Microsoft's own hardware division benefits from upgrade cycles
• Enterprise Agreements: Volume licensing deals for organizations upgrading entire fleets

AI and Copilot+ Monetization

The introduction of Copilot+ PCs represents Microsoft's latest revenue diversification strategy. These AI-enhanced devices require premium hardware specifications and create opportunities for:

• Premium Licensing Tiers: Higher-cost Windows editions with AI features
• Azure AI Services: Backend processing power sold as cloud services
• Enterprise AI Tools: B2B solutions built on the Windows 11 platform

Market Control and Competitive Positioning

By establishing Windows 11 as the gateway to Microsoft's broader ecosystem, the company strengthens its competitive moat against rivals like Google and Apple. The operating system becomes a platform for cross-selling services including:

• Microsoft Teams for collaboration
• Azure cloud computing services
• Xbox Game Pass integration
• LinkedIn Premium services

Long-term Revenue Predictability

The subscription model provides Microsoft with several strategic advantages:

• Predictable Cash Flow: Monthly and annual subscriptions create steady revenue streams
• Higher Customer Lifetime Value: Recurring payments typically exceed one-time purchase values
• Reduced Piracy Impact: Cloud-connected services are harder to pirate than standalone software
• Data Monetization: User data from integrated services creates advertising and analytics opportunities

Financial analysts project that Microsoft's shift toward subscription services could increase the company's profit margins by 15-20% over the next five years, with Windows 11 serving as the primary customer acquisition and retention vehicle.

This strategic transformation explains why Microsoft is willing to offer "free" Windows 10 security updates - the short-term cost is offset by the long-term value of migrating users into their profitable subscription ecosystem.

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Sources

1. Microsoft Learn. "Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10." Microsoft Documentation. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates
2. Microsoft Support. "Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program." Microsoft Support Documentation. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-consumer-extended-security-updates-esu-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42
3. Microsoft Learn. "Enable Extended Security Updates (ESU)." Microsoft Documentation. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/enable-extended-security-updates
4. Parmar, Mayank. "First look at 'Stay on Windows 10 for free' ESU tool after October 14." Windows Latest, June 26, 2025. https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/06/26/first-look-at-stay-on-windows-10-for-free-esu-tool-after-october-14/
5. Bowden, Zac. "Microsoft makes Windows 10 security updates FREE for an extra year — but there's a catch, and you might not like it." Windows Central, June 25, 2025. https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-10/windows-10-esu-support-free-updates-cloud-backup
6. Cimpanu, Catalin. "Windows 10 users can get extended security updates using Microsoft points." BleepingComputer, June 25, 2025. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-windows-10-extended-security-updates-available-using-reward-points/
7. Mehdi, Yusuf. "Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10." Windows Experience Blog, June 24, 2025. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2025/06/24/stay-secure-with-windows-11-copilot-pcs-and-windows-365-before-support-ends-for-windows-10/
8. Goodin, Dan. "Microsoft opens a free tier for Windows 10 extended updates." The Register, June 25, 2025. https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/25/microsoft_free_esu_tier/
9. Kumar, Ravie Lakshmanan. "Microsoft Extends Windows 10 Security Updates for One Year with New Enrollment Options." The Hacker News, June 25, 2025. https://thehackernews.com/2025/06/microsoft-extends-windows-10-security.html
10. Singh, Kapil. "Free Windows 10 extended updates if you use a Microsoft Account." Your Windows Guide, July 8, 2025. https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2025/06/windows-10-extended-updates-program.html
11. Doffman, Zak. "'Starting Today'—Microsoft Confirms Free Windows Update." Forbes, July 23, 2025. https://forbes.com

‘Starting Today’—Microsoft Confirms Free Windows Update