Reference number: CH000900
How can I help prevent people from finding me online?
Question:How can I help prevent people from finding me online?
Answer:Many sites on the Internet that are capable of finding people using their phone number or full name are relying on their information from public records. These records can include anything from bankruptcy, court, marriage, divorce, etc. Unfortunately, any site that is gathering its information from public records will likely pull your name, number, and/or address from these records. Below are some steps and removal pages you can visit to help remove yourself from these pages.
Verify company's privacy polices
Many companies will share much of the information you provide them on electronically, on paper, and even over the phone. Make sure before giving any personal information away that you ask about the company's privacy polices and to opt out of any information or public information sharing the company has.
Open and use a P.O. Box
Creating and using a P.O. Box for your home address is a easy and effective method of removing your home address from public records. Click here to open the official USPS change address form.
Don't give out any un-needed information
Many companies will request more information then they really need, for example e-mail addresses often requested by not used. When filling out a form or giving out information only give information that is really required.
Court ordered removal
In some extreme cases you can obtain a court ordered removal or seal of some or all public records.
Individual web site removal
Many of the sites that list your personal information do have methods of removing your personal information from being listed on their site. However, this will only remove your record from that site and not any other site that lists your public information. Because there are dozens of sites that are capable of finding you, you would need to remove your records from each of these pages and often some of the sites will re-list your information the next time the public records are gathered. However, below are a few of the major sites and other company links that collect and use public information.
Companies handling private data:
555-1212:
http://www.555-1212.com/support/contact.jsp?type=R
Company who specializes in collecting names, addresses, and phone numbers used for marketing.
Acxiom:
http://www.acxiom.com/default.aspx?ID=1692&DisplayID=18
Acxicom provides information on users to various agencies, governments, and businesses. Although you cannot remove all information the company has because some is used by law enforcement you can have your information removed from their marketing database.
DMA:
http://www.dmaconsumers.org/privacystatement.html
https://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing
The DMA or Direct Marketing Association is an association who specializes in direct marketing tools and technique and maintains a database of names used in direct marketing.
Intelius:
https://www.intelius.com/privacy-faq.php
Intelius provides users with a method of performing online background checks.
Website information lookup:
Google phone book removal:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/pbremoval.html
PeopleLookup:
https://www.peoplelookup.com/privacy-faq.php
PrivateEye:
http://www.privateeye.com/Help
USSearch:
http://www.ussearch.com/consumer/commerce/about/faq.jsp
ZabaSearch:
http://www.zabasearch.com/about_us.php
In addition to the sites listed above there are dozens of other sites that can be used to pull personal records click here to open an external search for other sites. Often removal instructions for each of these sites can be found through the sites company information, FAQ information, or privacy information pages
Additional information:
| 
