Want to erase your personal information from CheckPeople.com? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about opting out, from start to finish.
Overview
CheckPeople is an online people search and background check site that scrapes personal data from public records and sells access through paid subscriptions. The site provides detailed dossiers on individuals containing information like full names, phone numbers, addresses, relatives, criminal records, bankruptcies, lawsuits, and more.
While CheckPeople states their reports cannot be used for harmful purposes, many want their private details off the site. Read on to learn how to permanently delete your CheckPeople listing.
Key Takeaways:
- Submitting an opt-out request can remove your CheckPeople profile within 5-7 days
- You’ll need to provide personal details like your name, city, and state to identify your listing
- After submitting the opt-out form, confirm via email to complete deletion
- For ongoing removal, a privacy protection service may be needed
Why Remove Yourself from CheckPeople?
Here are some key reasons why you may want your information taken down from CheckPeople:
Privacy Concerns
CheckPeople reveals extensive personal and sensitive details like bankruptcy filings, lawsuits, divorce records and more. Even with legitimate intentions, many prefer their history private.
Identity Theft Risks
Aggregate sites like CheckPeople centralize lots of data making you more vulnerable to hacking and identity theft. Opting out reduces exposure of your details.
Inaccurate Information
CheckPeople pulls data from numerous sources which can be unreliable or out-of-date. False info associating you with crimes, lawsuits or offenses can be damaging.
Harassment Issues
Abusive exes, stalkers or scammers can potentially find your home address, relatives and other info. This creates serious safety risks for domestic violence victims.
While CheckPeople asks users not to misuse data, opting out gives you control over who can access your details.
How CheckPeople Collects Your Information
To understand how to get your data removed, it helps to know how it gets on CheckPeople in the first place. Main methods include:
- Public Records – Details from sources like bankruptcy filings, arrest logs, court documents, divorce records and more.
- Public Databases – Records from government sites, phone directories, business licenses, property assessors and registries.
- Website Scraping – Personal info extraction from social networks, people directories and other sites via web scraping bots.
- Data Brokers – Additional dossiers purchased from information resellers.
- User Contributions – Tipsters submit personal details on people directly to CheckPeople.
So even if you’re private online, offline records exposure means your data can still end up on CheckPeople sold to anyone.
CheckPeople Opt-Out Instructions
Removing your CheckPeople listing involves just a few steps but confirming via email adds an extra verification layer. Here is the full tutorial:
Step 1: Locate the CheckPeople Opt-Out Page
Go directly to the CheckPeople data removal page at https://checkpeople.com/do-not-sell-info.
Step 2: Fill Out & Submit Removal Request
Enter your first name, last name, city and state. Solve the CAPTCHA challenge verifying you are human. Hit “Search” and your record should appear.
Step 3: Identify & Select Your Listing
Carefully review all details in your CheckPeople profile to confirm it belongs to you. Check aliases, addresses, relatives, etc. Click the “Opt-Out” button on your record to proceed.
Step 4: Enter Email & Solve Captcha
Provide a valid email address to get a confirmation link for final verification. For privacy, consider a masked email from a service like Blur. Complete the CAPTCHA.
Step 5: Check Email & Click Confirmation Link
Check your inbox for an email from CheckPeople. Open it up and click the “Complete Request” button inside to confirm account deletion.
Step 6: Fill Final Form & Click “Complete Request”
Lastly, fill out your first name, last name and for whom you are submitting the request. Solve CAPTCHA and finalize removal by pressing “Complete Request”.
And that’s it! Your CheckPeople profile should now be permanently deleted within 5-7 business days.
Video Guide
Here is a quick video walking through the CheckPeople opt-out process visually:
What Happens After Opting Out of CheckPeople?
Once submitted, CheckPeople states they process opt-out requests within 5-7 business days. During this time, your profile will no longer appear in search results.
After removal, CheckPeople claims they take steps to prevent your data from being added again. However, some users report their information eventually returns.
Ongoing privacy protection may be needed as CheckPeople refreshes their data from various public sources. Additional opt-outs from other sites sharing your info can also strengthen privacy.
Alternative CheckPeople Opt-Out Methods
If you don’t want to use their online form, CheckPeople gives a couple secondary options to erase your data:
Phone Removal
Call their customer support line at (800) 267-2122. Have your CheckPeople URL plus personal details like full name, DOB, addresses handy. Ask the rep to permanently delete your information.
Email Removal
Email CheckPeople customer support at support@checkpeople.com. Provide your URL, name, DOB, current and previous addresses. Request full removal of your details from their people search platform and partners.
Should You Pay for CheckPeople Opt-Out?
Some sites try charging fees for opt-outs – but not CheckPeople. Removing your information is 100% free. You should never have to pay or purchase a subscription like cancelling a CheckPeople account to submit a deletion request.
Is an ID Required to Opt-Out of CheckPeople?
CheckPeople does not ask for any ID or documentation during removal. You simply provide personal details to match database records. As long as you accurately verify your identity, no scans or mailed proofs are mandated.
How to Prevent Reappearance on CheckPeople
As CheckPeople refreshes their databases from various public sources, your data could eventually return post opt-out. Here are some tips to keep your details private long-term:
Use a Privacy Protection Service
For fully automated and ongoing opt-outs, a privacy service like OneRep can help. They continually scan sites and submit removal requests on your behalf whenever your info appears.
Opt-Out of Other Sites
Research other public data brokers and people search sites that may have your information using tools like IntelTechniques. Opting out from top sites sharing your data like PeekYou, Pipl, ZabaSearch, or Nuwber can limit reemergence.
Monitor Your Name
Occasionally search your name on Google along with details like city and state to spot any problematic personal listings. Use removal tools like Namechk to check 100+ sites instantly.
Make Records Private
Limit exposure by making profiles private, using contact shields, and reducing public details wherever possible like on social media accounts. This gives aggregators less data to collect.
FAQs About Removing Yourself from CheckPeople
Got questions about taking down your CheckPeople profile? Here are answers to commonly asked questions:
Does CheckPeople completely delete your information after opting out?
Yes, CheckPeople claims to permanently erase your listing after successfully processing opt-out requests. However your data could eventually return unless ongoing measures are taken.
Can someone else remove me from CheckPeople without permission?
No. For privacy reasons, CheckPeople requires personal identity verification via CAPTCHA puzzles only the record owner should be able to solve. This prevents unauthorized deletions. Exceptions may be made for immediate family members with proof.
What details do you need to provide CheckPeople to opt out?
To submit removal you need to give your first name, last name, city and state to precisely match their databases. An email address is also requested for confirmation along with solving CAPTCHA puzzles verifying you are human. Be sure to read CheckPeople reviews to understand more about their policies.
Why does CheckPeople need my email address for opting out?
CheckPeople requests your email solely to send an account deletion confirmation link as an extra verification layer. This ensures actual record owners submit opt-outs, not imposters attempting unauthorized removals which would violate privacy laws.
Does erasing your CheckPeople profile also delete relatives’ details?
No. Opting out only removes your specific CheckPeople record, not profiles of family members and other associates listed alongside yours. To delete their info, they would each need to submit individual opt-out requests.
Is there an easier way to opt-out of CheckPeople beyond their form?
For automated and recurring opt-outs from CheckPeople plus 200+ other sites as your details emerge, services like OneRep offer a simpler solution. Otherwise, their own online form is the standard method.
Can I get in legal trouble for using CheckPeople data improperly after opting out?
Yes. CheckPeople states harvesting their data for unauthorized purposes like identity theft, stalking or scamming is 100% illegal. Several cases of users facing lawsuits prove improper use has serious legal consequences, even after removing your own listing. Act ethically.
Key Takeaways: Opting Out of CheckPeople
Getting your personal information permanently deleted from CheckPeople can take under 15 minutes using their standard online process with email confirmation. Expect full removal within 5-7 business days.
While CheckPeople asks data buyers not to misuse records, keeping sensitive details private reduces risks. Opting out also makes a statement against normalizing trading of personal data without consent.
Ongoing measures may be needed as your information could eventually return on CheckPeople or other public sites a few months down the line. But staying vigilant about your digital footprint keeps your private life secure.