Once it's online, personal information spreads quickly. There's no shortage of sites offering up phone numbers, most for free. Most searches require only a last name and a city.

Fortunately, the search sites usually allow you to remove your own listing. Focus on the biggest search sites to virtually eliminate your number's exposure on the Web.

Below are simple steps for removing your number from major online directories. If your number is public information, however, it may eventually reappear online. To counter this, consider making your number unpublished. Most phone companies will keep your number unpublished for a fee.

Google
To remove your listing from Google's PhoneBook search, you must first find it. To invoke a PhoneBook search, enter any of the following in Google's search box:

* First name, last name, state or city
* First name, last name, ZIP code
* Last name, city, state
* Last name, ZIP code

WhitePages.com
WhitePages.com supplies information to MSN, Verizon's SuperPages, YellowPages.com, PhoneNumber.com and 411.com. Start by finding your listing on WhitePages.com. At the bottom of your listing is a small link that reads, "Is this you? Remove your listing." Click the link and then confirm the removal. That's all there is to it.

If you find your listing, visit Google's online PhoneBook Name Removal form. Then enter your information as it appears in the Google listing. Google won't allow your number to reappear in its listings.

strong>Yahoo! People Search
To remove your listing from Yahoo!, you first must find it. You can do so using Yahoo!'s People Search. Then use the online Remove Phone Listing form. Enter your name as it appears in the listing.

AnyWho
AnyWho is owned by AT&T, but the directory is not limited to AT&T customers. AnyWho requires you to request removal by phone. Also, you must make the call from your listed number. Visit AnyWho's Privacy Listing Process page for details before you make the request.

Intelius People Search
Intelius accepts removal requests by mail or fax. Include your listing information as it appears on the site, or include a printout. According to the site, listings reappear if your number is public information. Here is the fax and postal information:
Intelius fax number: (425) 974-6194
Intelius, Inc.
500 108th Ave. NE, 25th Floor
Bellevue, WA 98004

a title="" href="http://www.switchboard.com/" target="_blank">Switchboard.com
Switchboard.com is part of InfoSpace, which runs the Dogpile.com search site. First, find your listing by searching Switchboard. Beside the listing is a link that reads, "Remove this listing." Click the link and provide your e-mail address. You'll receive an e-mail including a confirmation of removal.