How to Opt Out of Popular People Search Sites

Online white page search sites can be an invaluable resource for people looking to get in touch with friends and loved ones, but like anything on the internet, illicit people search sites can take a good thing and turn it inside-out for their own ill-gotten gains.

 

As illustrated by numerous court cases filtering into the legal system within the last year or so, advertisers have developed techniques aimed at siphoning money out of unsuspecting individuals who attempt to use the internet to look up friends or acquaintances via so-called people search sites masquerading as legitimate white page sites. When someone types in the name of a person they are looking for – or their own, for that matter – into a search engine, web-based advertising programs gathers that information and utilizes it to automatically craft internet advertisements directly targeting the individual in question.

 

For example, if you were to type the name of an old college friend into Google – say, “John Smith” or something – you might suddenly find yourself beset with ads proclaiming “WE HAVE FOUND JOHN SMITH – CLICK HERE.” And, of course, once someone with a bit of naiveté does just that, they will most likely find themselves taken to a site requesting payment before the alleged information that they possess on John Smith is relinquished. Once they make the payment, it instantly becomes clear that the unfortunate user has been scammed, but by then it’s too late…their money is gone, and (of course) they’re no closer to finding Mr. Smith then they were before.

 

Of course, it’s not just money scams going around; there are many websites out there that do indeed deliver on legitimate information in regards to people searches, but some of them go too far and cross the line into potentially illegal disclosure. Names, addresses and phone numbers are one things, but when paid access provides an individual’s possible arrest record or medical history – as some sites have been proven to do, and without any consent from the individuals in question – that clearly becomes legally actionable, not to mention morally objectionable.

 

So, what to do to avoid this calamity, aside from exercising a little basic know-how and general common sense? Well, aside from making sure that you only conduct your people searching with legitimate online white page websites, it’s also possible to opt-out of most other commonly-found people search sites that engage in these sorts of practices. Some of the sites that have been suspected of collecting personal information from users for potentially shady uses include FamilyTreeNow.com, whitepages.com, Spokeo.com and Pipl.com, according to Newsday. Most sites like these have opt-out programs – but not always – and if they do, it’s recommended that anyone who doesn’t want their information out there take advantage of them. In addition, being hyper-vigilant about what you post on social media and make sure that any safety options or protocols that sites like Facebook and Twitter are engaged; also using your brain and only sharing information with close friends only and having care with what you post will go miles as well. Make sure that any medical offices or other personal services you deal with have iron-clad reputations for patient confidentiality and disclosure. And if you do need conduct any searches for anyone online, make certain that you only do so with reputable, legitimate white page sites.

 

The law, ever-lagging behind technology, is nonetheless finally starting to catch up- numerous lawsuits have been brought against both individuals and organizations that have run such deceptive and disreputable scams, and the legal options for consumers who have been taken advantage of by illegitimate people search websites are growing by leaps and bounds each and every day. In addition, private, personal information is getting out there more and more, and such flagrant disregard for privacy laws is indeed troubling to consider, and should not be allowed to stand. If you feel you have been scammed by such a site – or if you come across a website that has your personal information listed against your will and without your consent – immediately contact your state’s Attorney General’s office and file a complaint.