Fast People Search Removal: DIY Opt Out Guide
- July 16, 2024
- Internet Privacy
You might like the idea of being able to find long-lost friends or relatives with a simple online search. But, how do you feel about anyone having access to your personal information? People search sites like FastPeopleSearch makes it difficult to protect your online privacy. Keep reading for our FastPeopleSearch DIY removal guide so you can keep your data private.
What is Fast People Search?
FastPeopleSearch is a public records search engine that aggregates data from various public sources. The site claims to have over 16.5 billion records on 800 million unique people. They also boast 100 million monthly searches and 3.3 million results per day.
You could go to their site right now and do a free search for anyone by name, phone number, or address. They will give you a detailed profile with all the information they have about the person you are searching for (including yourself).
Basic information is free to view and more detailed information is accessible for a small fee.
FastPeopleSearch provides information such as:
- Your name
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Family members or associates
- Home addresses, owned properties, and property values
- Criminal records
- Court cases
- Links to social media profiles, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Reddit
- Work history
- Educational background
- Any personal information on Google that someone could find
Is FastPeopleSearch Legal?
Yes, FastPeopleSearch (as with other people search sites in the United States) is completely legal.
To be clear, the website does not steal your data. It simply collects data about you that is already publicly available and puts it all in one place.
The issue is that it makes it incredibly easy for anyone to learn a lot about you. This could include associates, co-workers, would-be stalkers, potential dates, and more.
One important thing to note is that FastPeopleSearch is NOT a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) and is NOT Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant. This means it is illegal to make decisions about employment, renting, credit, or insurance based on the information found on the site.
But, just because something is illegal, doesn’t mean it never happens. Employers and landlords don’t always follow these laws, so you have to know your rights.
Plus, there is another huge problem with this website…
Why FastPeopleSearch.com has your information…
Many people assume that Fast People Search.com is simply a way for people to search for each other. Tons of people use this site to search for long-lost friends or family members.
Sounds pretty wholesome, right?
The truth is, that’s not really why FastPeople Search has your personal information.
They are a data broker site, and their business runs on selling your personal data for a profit. And they can’t turn much of a profit just from people trying to reconnect with their old neighbor from years ago.
Their largest customers are actually companies who want to collect this data to target their ad campaigns. This means you will see a higher number of increasingly intrusive ads.
The fact that you can go find out where your ex lives now is just a side note.
The Risks of FastPeopleSearch.com:
If we haven’t convinced you already, here are some more reasons to remove your data from FastPeopleSearch:
Invasion of privacy
If your information is publicly available and searchable, this is a huge invasion of privacy. Do you actually want your old neighbor from years ago to reach out to you again? They might be the reason you moved in the first place.
Besides other people, this also exposes you to spam and intrusive marketing. And we’re guessing you probably didn’t consent to having your information on the site in the first place.
Fraud and identity theft
This site poses a serious risk for fraud and identity theft by exposing your personal details. Criminals can use this information to impersonate you, apply for credit in your name, file false tax returns, or launch phishing attacks. All this has serious financial and legal consequences for you.
Personal safety
This website makes it easy for anyone to find your contact information and where you live. This means stalkers and harassers can potentially track you down. For example, victims of domestic violence would obviously want to keep their location and contact details private. So, removing your info is critical.
Difficulties opting out
If you’re trying to delete yourself from the internet, you must check these people search sites. Information you already deleted from elsewhere online could still exist on FastPeopleSearch.
Plus, deleting your information once doesn’t mean it stays off. You have to keep checking sites like this and potentially repeat this process regularly.
Impact on your professional life
The truth is, your coworkers and potential employers will Google you. If all your personal details are there for them to seek, it can have real impacts on your professional prospects.
If any uncomfortable information is out there, this can lead to some awkward work interactions at least. At most, it can affect your ability to find your next job.
Related: Learn how to stay anonymous online.
Inaccurate information
The details on sites like this are not always even accurate. If someone else has a similar name to you, you could end up associated with their actions. If they ever committed a crime, people might think you did it. Taking your information down can prevent the spread of false information about you.
How To Remove Info From FastPeopleSearch
Use this Fast People Search DIY opt-out guide to delete your data:
- Go to https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/removal to place a formal opt-out request.
- Enter your email address. Then, check the box stating that you are requesting to remove your own records. Solve the CAPTCHA and click the “Begin Removal Process” button.
- Search for your records by entering your full name, city, state, and zip code.
- Click the “View Free Details” button on a record that matches your information. Review the details to make sure you have the correct one.
- Click the red “Remove My Record” button.
- You will then receive an email asking you to confirm your removal request. Click the button in the email to confirm.
Additional Tips:
After you go through the opt-out process, use these tips to protect your online privacy:
- Allow 72 hours for FastPeopleSearch to remove your information. Contact them again if your records still appear.
- Monitor FastPeopleSearch and other people finder sites regularly. New details about you could appear on the website as they become available.
- Remove your public records from other people search sites. Removing them from one does not remove them from all, so you may need to repeat this process.
- Consider paying for an online privacy service that can take down your information on your behalf. Your data could be somewhere online without your knowledge. It can be hard to track down and remove everything.
Alternate Contact Methods:
If you can’t fill out the opt-out form, or just want to speak to someone, here are some other ways to contact FastPeopleSearch:
- Fill out the online contact form. Select “How do I opt out?”, or another question from the drop-down menu. Then, click “Contact Support”.
- Send a letter to their address at PO Box 55071, Boston, MA 02205-5071.
- Call them at (617) 229-7889.
When contacting customer support, make sure to give them enough information to confirm your records.
Related: After taking your info off FastPeopleSearch, check if Whitepages has your information.
Conclusion: Opt Out of FastPeopleSearch
Keeping your private information off the internet can feel overwhelming, if not impossible. Follow these tips to remove yourself from FastPeopleSearch. Take back control over your online data and privacy.
Sometimes, though, you need help from the reputation management experts. The team at Reputation911 is here to protect your online privacy and reputation. Whether you’re a private individual or a high-profile celebrity, we have a plan for you. Contact us today for a free privacy consultation.
About The Author
William DiAntonio is the Founder & CEO of Reputation911, a reputation management firm he founded in 2010 that has earned the trust of its clients for over a decade by helping individuals, businesses and brands control their online search results.
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