How much of YOUR info is out there?

[SaintHiρρo]

Thought this was interesting and scary at the same time. We've all heard of websites where PIs and others who want to know may purchase information about you but what info are they purchasing. Recently on the job, we were asked to look for someone's address. They gave us a website and a password to use to do a search. I logged in and did the search for the person. Found his address but I was shocked to see other info out there like SSN, bankruptcies, Divorce Filings, Drivers License Registration, Property, Birth Records, etc...

So I decided to look myself up. I don't have a long history so I wasn't too concerned until I looked myself up. I saw my SSN listed (all 9 digits), my date of birth, the last 4 places I lived (and 2 different PO boxes I've used), my telephone numbers (and old ones) & my fishing license. I shared this info with another co-worker and she says she has known her info was out there for a while and she's not worried about it. I myself am worried because all it takes is one person to decide "Hey, I want a new credit card... who might have decent credit" and then screw me over. She shared a free site with me that HAD (past tense) her info on there until she contacted them and had it removed. It's a pretty well known site in my office (well, I didn't know about it) and just about everyone in the office has had their info remove. I don't know the steps but if you want to check to see if you're listed and have yourself removed, here is the site: http://www.zabasearch.com.

Just thought I'd share and hope it's not a violation of PC.net but I felt this was important enough to post (and use spell check) for!

[Mary]

you have to pay to get the info i see dont see to many people payin 50.00 bucks to look at your info or the 30.00 bucks depending what they are lookin for :)

[SaintHiρρo]

you have to pay to get the info i see dont see to many people payin 50.00 bucks to look at your info or the 30.00 bucks depending what they are lookin for :)

Yeah but for some sites like Flat Rate, you pay 1 price and you have unlimited access to EVERYONE's info. At which point, it becomes very tempting!

[Mary]

how do you get your info off of these sites???  >:(

[SaintHiρρo]

From ZabaSearch: What can I do to prevent my information from becoming so widely available?

If you care to make the effort, there are steps that can be taken to better conceal information available about you in many public record databases.  Many things can be done quickly and inexpensively, other methods can be more costly and time consuming.

It is important to note that it is virtually impossible to completely remove information available about yourself from public record.  Some public information can be controlled.  Some cannot be.  For example, real property transactions and most court records will always be part of the public domain.

Efforts made in this regard help to greatly contain and manage your information as you like, but no method can ever guarantee certain removal of all records.

Here are five very effective means of controlling information about yourself in the public domain:

1) Open a P.O. Box for your personal correspondence and bills. Submit a change of address form at your local post office, forwarding your mail to your new post office box.  This is the single most effective and inexpensive thing you can do to quickly remove your current address from a majority of public record databases.
Search Local P.O. Box locations   U.S. Postal Service Change of Address Form

2) Having your telephone number unlisted does not mean your telephone number is not available to the public.  This is the single biggest misconception people have about having an unlisted number.  Un-listing your telephone number simply keeps it out of directory assistance and white pages.  As many experience, even taking this step with the phone companies is not a guarantee that they will not subsequently disclose this number.  Phone companies have no further ability or obligation to prevent the distribution of your phone number once you start to give out this unlisted number to other individuals, to businesses, or when you use this unlisted number in legal documents that are filed as public records.  The best thing you can do to control the distribution of your telephone number is to start with a new unlisted number and block caller ID information from being displayed when you place phone calls.  Telephone numbers that at one time were listed, and are later unlisted, are most likely already widely distributed in the public record domain.  Public databases are much less likely to have a telephone record of yours if you start with a new unlisted number that has never been listed before and take care as to how the number is used in your day to day life.   

3) Never put your name, number or information on any form or application (in writing or over the phone) without checking to see what the policy is of the company or agency to which you are submitting the form.  You will be surprised to find out how many credit card companies, banks, financial institutions and government agencies share or sell your information unless you specifically request that they do not distribute it.

4) Mail a written request to all major information suppliers requesting your information be removed.  Some will comply, others will not. ZabaSearch has such a policy in place and soon will offer assistance in helping you contact information companies willing to remove your information.

5) Start a corporation, trust or d.b.a. to conduct some of your personal business which will require the filing of public records. This is a more expensive option, but there are many online services that offer reasonably priced opportunities to do this quickly and efficiently. These options tend to offer the greatest control over your information over extended periods of time, but typically require an ongoing effort to manage well.  Always consult with a licensed attorney or tax specialist before taking these steps as they are best qualified to guide you.   You can begin your research on these options here:  Research opening a corporation, trust or d.b.a.

[Tara]

Considering that I work in this field of research I can tell you this...you can run but its very hard to hide...Your utility bills are put in these services also ....tickets...judgements..liens..all kinds of things connect here...I don't really see it possible to take there self out of the limelight...I can tell you this tho...They are starting to keep your SSN out of it and that will help with fraud.

[ClingFree]

Okay so I went to the site .. put in my FULL name .. and low and behold .. I'm not on there    :o   Does that mean I dont exist? ... Interesting thing tho, I have an ex sister in law, with my exact same name (She married in after I got out) and she's on there!

[SaintHiρρo]

Okay so I went to the site .. put in my FULL name .. and low and behold .. I'm not on there    :o   Does that mean I dont exist? ... Interesting thing tho, I have an ex sister in law, with my exact same name (She married in after I got out) and she's on there!

My FULL name isn't on there either but by enterting just my First & Last Name, I found myself and my info.

[ClingFree]

Okay so I went to the site .. put in my FULL name .. and low and behold .. I'm not on there    :o   Does that mean I dont exist? ... Interesting thing tho, I have an ex sister in law, with my exact same name (She married in after I got out) and she's on there!

My FULL name isn't on there either but by enterting just my First & Last Name, I found myself and my info.

I tried first and last .. also tried first and maiden .. Umm Im kinda nervous how come I'm not on there ..  :-\

[bubblegum]

want to know something weird? where I work at we have to sumbit to background checks every 2 years...and I'm the one who has to process them for everyone.  Including myself.  I told my boss do you really think its wise that I do a background check on myself? why don't you do it? he said he trusted me to do one on myself.... :))  Oh well.  Mine just came back all clean.

[Gerald]

My name nor a few of my family members names weren't on there! Huh I guess now that I'm not on there I can stop paying taxes. O0

[SI]

I was finally able to find the link for editing/removing information.  When I clicked on it, it asked for an email address (of course I entered one of my many webmail ones).  I finally got an email from them:

We received your request.  The following is the fastest way to create, edit or delete your records in ZabaSearch. ZabaTools allow you to take control of the information available about you or to manage how you allow others to communicate with you.  You can create, edit, delete your record or add a ZabaLink all for free.

Why create a record?  If you don't exist in ZabaSearch and would like to be included.

Why edit a record?  If you are in ZabaSearch, but would like to update your information.  Or, add your e-mail address or your web site URL to your record.

Why delete a record?**  If you want to remove your address and/or telephone number.

Add a free ZabaLink!  Instead of deleting a record, consider replacing your address and/or telephone number with a ZabaLink*.

**If someone finds and clicks your ZabaLink (placed where your address or telephone number was), they will come to an e-mail form that will allow them to send a message to you without knowing your e-mail address, where you are, or if you ever even received the message.  You can either respond, ignore, or send back a non-delivery notice.  ZabaLinks empower you to control how people can communicate with you on the Internet.  You can be found, only if you want to be on a person by person basis. And, ZabaLinks are free!

In order to create, edit, delete your record and/or to add a ZabaLink, all for free, you must make that request in writing and mail it to:
ZabaTools, PO Box 45210 Omaha, NE 68145.
Receiving requests by mail allows us to verify and process requests quickly.  Records created, edited and ZabaLinks added may take up to several weeks to appear in ZabaSearch.  Records requested to be deleted are typically processed the next business day after receiving the request.  You will be notified by e-mail when you request enters our system and then once more when the requested records have been adjusted.  Please specify if you want to create, edit, delete a record and/or add a free ZabaLink, e-mail address or url to your record.  If you add a free ZabaLink, please include the e-mail address where you would like messages blindly forwarded to from your ZabaLink.

In order to fill your request your letter must contain the following information to insure we create, edit or delete the correct records.  After you confirm by e-mail that we processed your request, your letter and the information you provided in it will be shredded.  You will have created a record for yourself just as you like it and will be eventually given online tools to adjust your information as you like live in ZabaSearch 24/7.

1.  E-mail address
2.  Full name including middle initial
3.  Address of the record you wish to create, edit or delete
4.  Phone number you wish to have removed
5.  Year of birth.
6.  Specify if you are requesting to create, edit or delete a record or if you want to add a ZabaLink or URL to your record.
7.  Sign and date your request

[foxx]

....and we will need a small sample of your blood, $49.95 and your first born child....

I guess its easier than contacting all the agencies that sell off our private info...

My records on there are all screwed up.  There is no record of my actual married name...about 7 different entries with my maiden name ( I moved a lot in college) and what is there with my Married name has my husband's middle initial! 

I wouldn't feel so bad about not having any info about you in there Clingfree...I wish I had none...Guess I will have to write a little letter...

[Shady Lady]

Click on the image above to read the story ... Although it's not long, it's on 4 pages... Lots of pictures. Be sure to look at the bottom of the page for the link to the next page.

I think the next one I get I'll think twice about just tearing it in half and dropping it in the trash.

[SI]

I'm sorry, I can't help but think that's bullshnikey...  At the very least, one would think that the bank would just reissue a new application to said applicant; I mean, he tore up the application, reassembled it AND changed information on it.  Worse case scenario they'd have the FBI investigate a fraud attempt.

As someone that has a Chase cc & knowing that they bring "anal retentive" to a whole new level, I just can't buy this one.

[Shady Lady]

It's a story to make you think and/or laugh. As in the story below

Here's an exerpt from something they are selling at a place that can't be named.

Constructed from heavy picnic-grade spoons, these goggles accent the wearer's good looks and style while providing vital protection from flying debris and flotsam.

If you're dying to know more, here's the story http://www.cockeyed.com/lessons/protection/eye_protection1.shtml

BTW they're up to $8.50  :))  :))  :))  :))

[PissedOffPumpkin]

It doesn't really matter for me anymore, since I vacated The States 12 years ago, and have no plans to ever move back, but I'm relieved to find that I'm not on there. The US doesn't like to give up her citizens to other countries, and I'm actually supposed to be paying taxes there AND here in the UK where I live now. I don't. Seriously. They DO understand I have to actually eat, right? Scared to look up my brother, but I might anyway. Maybe after a glass of wine or two. Good info anyway. Thank you!