There’s probably plenty of information about you available on the Internet. Online directories and databases offer this data either free or for a price. Fortunately, you can remove your personal details from some online databases.
You might be wondering how your name, address, telephone number and, often, date of birth ended up online. Information is obtained from public records and marketing databases. This includes court documents, county and state records, voter registration, marriage licenses, subscriptions and other sources.
The following are five big online databases with instructions on how to remove your data. You can also find direct links to these sites at www.komando.com/news.
US Search (www.ussearch.com) frequently shows up in online searches. Many online phone directories also link to it. US Search sells background reports to anyone. But you can remove your records from most of its search results.
You must send your request via postal mail. US Search requires your name, birth date and Social Security number. Additionally, it wants your addresses going back 15 years. You should also supply any aliases, including your maiden name.
Intelius (www.intelius.com) also sells background reports to anyone. Reports include your birth date, court records and address history.
For removal, you must fax a copy of a state-issued ID card or your driver’s license. You can cross out your photo and license number. It requires only your name, address and birth date. Or you can send a notarized form confirming your identity.
Acxiom (www.acxiom.com) provides data to websites, businesses and law enforcement officials. Its products fall into two categories: marketing and reference.
Reference data is culled from public records. It also includes financial information and Social Security numbers. This information is provided only to businesses and law enforcement. You can’t opt out.
However, you can opt out of its marketing database, which does not include credit information or Social Security numbers.
Request an opt-out form by phone or e-mail. Since other businesses use Acxiom, this also removes data from some other sites.
555-1212.com is used by marketers to find addresses and phone numbers of potential leads. You can remove your information via an online form.
You must provide your name as it appears in the site’s listing. This may be difficult, as you can’t view your listing. You must also provide a phone number and e-mail address.
WhitePages.com is an online directory available to anyone. It lists your name and address in its search results.
You can remove information via an online form. Your name, city and state are required, along with a reason for removal. You can select General Privacy Concerns.
Many marketers use the Direct Marketing Association’s preferences. You can submit removal requests for mailing, telemarketing and e-mail lists.
You’ll find removal forms on the DMA site (www.the-dma.org). Some of the forms carry a fee ranging from $1 to $5.
Kim Komando hosts the nation’s largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet.
