Here’s how to remove yourself from all major background check websites

Protecting your online presence starts with finding out what information’s already out there

Below you’ll find a list of all the major public records and background check websites, along with direct links and instructions on how to remove your information from their databases. Many require that you upload a scanned image of your state issued ID, taking care to black out your picture and drivers number, leaving only your name, address, and date of birth visible. The simplest way to do this prepare the needed documents in advance.

The last thing to consider: while multiple online “services” bill themselves as agents with power of attorney capable of acting on your behalf, requests sent from these services will not be honored by data-mining companies. The only external organization whose requests will be honored is the Direction Marketing Association (DMA), as it is the official trade group of direct marketing companies. Visit DMAchoice.org to opt-out.

1. Intelius.com; opt-out https://www.intelius.com/optout

2. Acxiom.com; opt-out https://isapps.acxiom.com/optout/optout.aspx

3. LexisNexis; opt-out

4. ZabaSearch.com; opt-out

5. Spoke.com; opt-out

6. BeenVerified.com; Follow LawyerCT's guide

7. PeekYou.com; opt-out

8. USSearch.com; opt-out

9. PeopleFinders.com; opt-out

10. PeopleSmart.com; opt-out

11. PrivateEye.com; opt-out

12. WhitePages.com; opt-out

13. USA-People-Search.com; opt-out

14. Spokeo.com; opt-out

15. Radaris.com; opt-out

16. MyLife.com requires that you contact the Customer Care number, or send an email to privacy@mylife.com with a takedown request. The company will remove your profile within ten business days, and may find it necessary to contact you to validate that you are the profile owner requesting the removal.

17. PeopleLookup.com requires users to submit proof of identity by faxing in a copy of their driver’s license with a blacked out photo and license number. Processing will commence once the fax is received, and takes approximately four to six weeks. The fax number is 425-975-6194

18. DOBSearch requires a notarized letter or a faxed proof of identity similar to PeopleLookup. Processing takes four to six weeks. The fax number is 516-717-3017.

For More Information Visit : https://www.electronicproducts.com/Programming/Software/Here_s_how_to_remove_yourself_from_all_major_background_check_websites.aspx

Thanks to LawyerCT for bringing this topic up on r/technology. She also provided a list of the top sites online that hold data on you.

I decided to go ahead and use this list to collect removal procedures from ALL of these websites and provide direct links or instructions to do so.

The following list was provided as being the "big boys", so if you remove your name from these ones then all the smaller "sites" should fall afterwards.

• Intelius.com https://www.intelius.com/optout

• Acxiom.com https://isapps.acxiom.com/optout/optout.aspx#section8

Should you have any questions regarding this request please contact Acxiom's Consumer Care Advocate at consumeradvo@acxiom.com or via telephone at (877) 774-2094 or (501) 342-3122

• MyLife.com https://www.mylife.com/contact-us call to opt -out or email

• ZabaSearch.com https://www.intelius.com/ccpa opt-out

• Spoke.com

• BeenVerified.com https://www.beenverified.com/app/optout/search

• PeekYou.com https://www.peekyou.com/about/contact/optout/index.php

• USSearch.com https://www.intelius.com/optout

• PeopleFinders.com

• PeopleLookup.com

• PeopleSmart.com

• PrivateEye.com

• WhitePages.com

• USA-People-Search.com

• Spokeo.com

• PublicRecordsNow.com

• DOBSearch.com

• Radaris.com

How to remove yourself from each of these have been listed below. I would recommend that you scan some form of ID such as a state issued ID like a drivers license. Black out your picture and drivers number. Leaving your name, address and DOB visible. Any sites that requires such a thing will have an * after the address.

Intelius.com* - Opt-out

Acxiom.com - Opt-out

MyLife.com - To request that a Member Profile or Public Profile be deleted, please contact Customer Care at 1-888-704-1900 or contact us by email at privacy@mylife.com. Upon receipt of these requests, and confirmation that you are requesting that your own profile be removed, please allow MyLife 10 business days to complete this removal. It may be necessary to contact you to validate that you are the profile owner requesting the removal. This is to ensure the correct identity and profile ownership before completing these requests, and is for the protection of our users and their privacy.

Zabasearch.com* - Opt-out

Spokeo.com - Opt-out

BeenVerified.com - LawyerCT's guide

Peekyou.com - Opt-Out

USSearch.com* - Opt-Out

PeopleFinders.com - Opt-Out: Annoying form you have to mail in

PeopleLookup.com* - In order for PeopleLookup to suppress or opt out your personal information from appearing on our Website, we need to verify your identity. To do this, we require faxed proof of identity. Proof of identity can be a state issued ID card or driver's license. If you are faxing a copy of your driver's license, we require that you cross out the photo and the driver's license number. We only need to see the name, address and date of birth. We will only use this information to process your opt out request. Please fax to 425-974-6194 and allow 4 to 6 weeks to process your request.

PeopleSmart.com - Opt-Out

PrivateEye.com - Opt-Out

Whitepages.com - Opt-Out

USA-People-Search.com - Opt-Out: Yet another form to mail in

Spoke.com - Scroll Down to Access and Correction Section for more info

PublicRecordsNow.com - Still determining how to remove...

DOBSearch.com* - In order for us to “opt out” your public information from being viewable on the public DOBsearch People Finder search results, we need to verify your identity and require faxed proof of identity. Proof of identity can be a state issued ID card or driver's license, or notarized letter. If you are faxing a copy of your driver's license, you may cross out the photo and the driver's license number. We only need to see the name, address and date of birth. Please fax to 516-717-3017 and allow 4 to 6 weeks to completely process your request. It is your responsibility to ensure legibility of your document

Radaris.com - Opt-Out; Thanks to those who figured it out.

more info:

https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/j1mit/how_to_remove_yourself_from_all_background_check/

The 3 Reports You Haven’t Frozen Yet

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion aren't the whole game. Consider putting a freeze on your reports from these lesser-known agencies as well.

Sometimes feel you’re being watched? These days, no one will call you paranoid. Last year’s Equifax breach highlighted the depth of Americans’ data held by the major credit bureaus. And Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are only three of dozens of consumer reporting agencies, companies that collect and sell your information.

The Big Three gather and report data on your credit use, but other consumer reporting agencies build banking, rental and employment profiles, and even lists of prescription drug purchases — to name a few. Experts say you should consider freezing some of these reports, in addition to freezing your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion reports.

Although you can’t freeze every consumer report — and it won’t relieve that creepy-crawly feeling — doing so can make it harder for criminals to open accounts in your name.

Here are three of the biggest consumer reporting agencies you haven’t heard of and how to freeze your report at each. The best part: Only one of them may charge you for it.

1. Innovis

Data type: Credit

Freeze cost: Free

Innovis is a credit bureau like Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — but it’s less well-known. Still, if you’re placing freezes, many experts say it’s worth including.

“If a company uses Equifax and Innovis … and Equifax doesn’t respond, they’ll go to Innovis,” says Avivah Litan, a cybersecurity analyst at business technology research and advisory firm Gartner. “You have to worry about every credit reporting agency. You can’t just worry about 75 or 80% of them.”

Credit freezes largely prevent reporting agencies from releasing your data, so lenders can’t verify it, and they’re unlikely to give you (or someone pretending to be you) a loan or other credit. If someone does get credit in your name, it’s “a really hard crime to unravel,” according to Litan, “a lot harder than credit card fraud.”

You can request an Innovis credit freeze by phone, mail or online. The online form asks for your name, address, Social Security number, phone number and birthdate. After the request is processed, you’ll receive a letter with a PIN that you can use to lift the freeze.

2. ChexSystems

Data type: Banking

Freeze cost: Free

ChexSystems is to bank accounts as credit bureaus are to credit. If you’re opening a new account, most banks query ChexSystems’ database for red flags in your banking history. A frozen ChexSystems report typically equals an account denial.

That’s important, because "if a thief opens an account, they'll misuse the account by overdrafting and accruing fees,” Roslyn Lash, an accredited financial counselor from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, said in a previous NerdWallet interview. And if this happens, you “could be blacklisted from opening new accounts,” she said.

Like Innovis report freezes, ChexSystems freezes are free and easy — just input a few pieces of information on the online form (including your driver’s license number) and wait for your PIN in the mail.

Tech professional Jon Stein froze his reports at ChexSystems and Innovis shortly after learning about the Equifax breach. Stein was concerned that identity criminals would target the two agencies because consumers might be less likely to have requested freezes there.

“It's pretty simple to freeze ChexSystems and Innovis; might as well take care of them while freezing Experian, Equifax and TransUnion,” Stein says. “The risk here is too great; I'm not going to let my life be ruined out of laziness.”

3. LexisNexis

Data type: Various

Freeze cost: Varies by state, typically $0-$10

LexisNexis compiles multiple data sources about consumers, including public records information, as well as reports with insurance claim and policy data. Your information might be pulled if you’re applying for insurance, and requesting a report freeze could prevent a criminal from getting a policy in your name.

The best way to request a LexisNexis freeze is through the mail, according to spokesperson Jennifer Grigas Richman. You can write it at LexisNexis Consumer Center, P.O. Box 105108, Atlanta, Georgia, 30348-5108. The New York State Department of Consumer Protection has sample letters for requesting freezes at the Big Three, and they can be adapted to LexisNexis. It’s a good idea to use certified mail.

Freezes aren't the end of the story

Freezing these reports — as well as those from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — helps foil identity thieves, but it doesn’t mean your current accounts are secure. Criminals can still use your credit card to make unauthorized purchases, for example, so keep an eye on your statements.

And keep in mind that when you make it harder for other people to open accounts in your name, it’s also harder for you to open accounts. So if you’re planning to apply for a new credit card or a mortgage, or switch banks or insurance companies, it might be worth waiting to freeze. Or keep the PIN the reporting agencies provide you handy so you can request a temporary lift. (In many cases, current credit and service providers can still access your reports when you renew a policy or apply for a new account. It’s worth checking before placing the freeze.)

Litan recommends consumers start with the credit reporting agencies, then request a freeze at ChexSystems, and then LexisNexis, depending on their level of concern. “Consumers don’t have a lot of control over what happens to their data,” she says. “But you can at least control [this] outcome, so why not?

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/3-reports-havent-frozen-yet