Most background check sites are just awful. They scrape public records from across the country and compile data about everyone they possibly can. That data is often incomplete, outdated and even inaccurate. Then, they bait people in by displaying preliminary results for free searches along with a message that additional information is available at a price.
To make matters even worse, they never obtain permission from people listed on the site, and they don’t have to since all the info they collect is public.
Thankfully, there are ways to have your info removed from nearly every single one of these sites, but you had better brew a fresh pot of coffee because this is not going to be an easy process.
DON’T MISS: The worst things reviewers are saying about the Apple Watch
A Reddit user with the all-too-appropriate handle “Paranoidsbible” has managed to assemble the ultimate guide to removing your data from background check websites and people searches.
His Reddit post includes links to dozens of opt-out pages for nearly every background check website imaginable. As nice as it is to have everything in one place though, don’t expect this to be a simple endeavor. Many of the sites require you jump through a number of hoops that can even include sending in a scan of your photo ID.
A link to the Reddit thread will all the instructions you’ll need can be found down in our source section.
