cmwmc -
You are not
powerless when it comes to removing your private data from the internet but it is difficult and time-consuming and, when it comes to public records, it may take a court order and/or an invasion of privacy (publication of private data) lawsuit to do so - and these are not always successful.
Following are some websites that you can go to to request the removal of your information from their databases. Some have online forms to fill-out, some require confirmation of your identity through driver's license information or state ID information, some require letters sent through the mail, and all require that you provide MORE information in order to get the information removed. You will need to decide if you are comfortable with this.
www.the-dma.org is the site for the Direct Marketing Association, and you can submit removal requests to opt out of all mailings, telemarketing and email promotions - although DMA may charge you to have your information removed from their database.
WhitePages.com is a directory with your name and address and phone number and you can request directory removal through an online form. Mark "General Privacy Concerns" as the reason for the removal.
Contact Experian, TransUnion and Equifax for copies of your credit reports and follow the instructions for removing information from these.
People Search & Background Check is a database often used for background checks and a request to have information removed must be by mail and you must include a lot of personal information (including your social security number) in order to have your request granted.
Acxiom: Global Interactive Marketing Services is the background search site, Acxiom, which provides data to websites, businesses and to law enforcement agencies. You CANNOT remove information that is provided to law enforcement or businesses, however you CAN opt out of the marketing database. Request an opt out form online.
555-1212.com provides phone numbers and addresses and you can opt out of having this information published through an online opt out form.
People Search | Background Check | Reverse Cell Phone Lookup - Intelius.com, another background search database, keeps track of court records among other things. Follow instructions on the site to get information removed. You must fax a copy of your driver's license (or state ID), but you can black-out your photo and license number.
To prevent further information from showing up in these databases, you can choose to have an unlisted phone number, and you can choose to have a P.O. Box number, and you can opt out of advertising material sent to you by filling out a postal service opt out form.
Read all bank and credit card privacy statements. They will give you information on how to opt out of having them sell or provide your information to others.
Most public records, as Charlotte mentioned and listed, are nearly impossible to keep from being public. For that reason, I did not list the sites that maintain law enforcement, court and criminal record information (like fbi.gov) and other public record sites. The sites provided above are only some of the more well-known sites that distribute personal data where you have the ability to opt-out of having it displayed. There are other sites so you should do your own search.
States do have programs for domestic abuse victims, where they can have all information (including voting records and tax records and court records and addresses and phone numbers and more) kept confidential, but these programs can be limited to certain abuse victims under certain circumstances. A domestic abuse shelter will have information on these programs.
Contact Veromi again with an opt-out form AND tell them the information is incorrect. Then make changes to your phone number (to unlisted) and your address (to a P.O. Box).
Finally, if all else fails, you can sue for invasion of privacy. Some suits, as I said, have been successful. MOST AREN'T. All are extremely expensive to pursue. And, unless you take steps prior to filing suit to have all information remain confidential and sealed, the court action will become public record - once again complicating your quest to remove all personal data from the internet.
(not removable unless false would be a person's listing on a sex offender registry, terrorist list, fugitives list, on state or county criminal records - unless sealed, on civil litigation or liens or civil judgments - unless sealed, and warrants)
