Are you concerned about your personal information appearing on Instant Checkmate? This comprehensive guide walks you through the steps to opt out of Instant Checkmate and remove your data from their people search database. Learn how to protect your online privacy and prevent your sensitive details from being exposed.
What is Instant Checkmate?
Instant Checkmate is an online background check service and data broker that aggregates people’s personal information into detailed reports. Their database contains billions of public records which can be accessed by anyone who purchases a subscription.
Information commonly found in an Instant Checkmate report includes:
- Full name and aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Social media profiles
- Criminal records and arrest history
- Bankruptcies, liens and civil judgments
- Relatives and known associates
While Instant Checkmate gathers this data from public sources, having so much personal information compiled into one place poses privacy risks. It enables anyone from nosy neighbors to stalkers to access sensitive details about your life.
Why You Should Opt Out of Instant Checkmate
There are several important reasons to remove your information from Instant Checkmate:
- Protect your privacy: Prevent strangers from accessing personal details that you’d prefer to keep private. You can’t control how this information might be used.
- Reduce spam and unwanted contact: The more places your contact information appears online, the more likely you are to receive spam calls, emails and junk mail.
- Secure sensitive info: Details like your date of birth and relatives’ names are often used as security questions. Having this publicly available increases risk of identity theft.
- Maintain a professional reputation: Outdated or incorrect information, especially related to criminal records, could harm your career and employment opportunities if seen by others.
Fortunately, you have the right to opt out of Instant Checkmate and other data broker sites. Removing your information puts you back in control of your online privacy. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step.
How to Remove Yourself from Instant Checkmate
Step 1: Navigate to Instant Checkmate Privacy Center
Visit the Instant Checkmate Privacy Center. You’ll find information here about how they collect data and your options for opting out.
Step 2: Select PeopleConnect Suppression Tool
After clicking the link, a new window will pop up labeled “Public Data Tools.” Instant Checkmate outsources data privacy compliance to another company called PeopleConnect.
Click the “Manage my suppression rules” link. This will take you to PeopleConnect’s opt out page.
Step 3: Enter Your Email Address
On the PeopleConnect Data Suppression Center page, enter your email address in the field provided. Check the box agreeing to their Terms & Privacy Policy.
Click the “Continue” button.
Step 4: Verify Your Email
Check your inbox for an email from PeopleConnect. If you don’t see it, look in your spam folder. The subject line will say something like “Verify your email for Data Suppression Center.”
Open the email and click the “Verify email” button inside. You have 15 minutes to do this before the link expires. After clicking, a new browser tab will open taking you back to PeopleConnect.
Step 5: Provide Your Information
On the next screen, enter your date of birth using the calendar tool. Check the box confirming this information is correct. Click “Continue.”
Now enter your full legal name – first, middle, and last. Check the box verifying this is your real name. Click “Continue” again.
Step 6: Select Your Record
PeopleConnect will search their database and display a list of records that potentially match your information. Locate your listing and click the radio button next to it to select that record. Scroll down and click “Continue.”
Step 7: Verify Your Identity
If PeopleConnect is able to verify your identity based on the details provided, you’ll go straight to the next step.
However, in some cases they may need additional confirmation it’s really you. You’ll be asked to enter either a phone number or email address associated with your record. Choose the verification method you prefer.
You’ll then receive either an SMS text message or email (depending on which you picked) with a one-time verification code. Enter that code on the PeopleConnect site.
Once your identity is confirmed, click “Continue.”
Step 8: Suppress Your Information
On the final “control visibility” page, locate the dropdown menu labeled “Desired Behavior.” Click it and select “Suppressed” rather than “Visible.”
Then click the “Save” button. The page will refresh and you should see a green check mark and notice that “Status” has changed to “Suppressed.”
Congratulations, you’ve now completed the Instant Checkmate opt out process! Allow up to 24 hours for your record to be fully removed from the site. It’s a good idea to search for yourself on Instant Checkmate after a day has passed to confirm your information is gone.
Keep in mind opting out is site-specific. Your information may still appear on other data broker sites. You’ll need to do a similar opt out process on each one.
Alternative Opt Out Methods
If you have difficulties with the online opt out process, there are two other ways to remove yourself from Instant Checkmate:
- Phone: Call Instant Checkmate’s customer support number at 1-800-222-8985. Explain to the representative that you want to opt out and have your information removed. They are available Monday-Friday from 7am-4pm Pacific Time.
- Email: Send a data removal request to privacy@instantcheckmate.com. Include your full name, current address, date of birth, and a statement that you want your personal data suppressed.
Using the online form is generally quicker, but these alternatives are good backup options if you encounter any issues. Be sure to follow up if you don’t receive a response within a few days.
Why Does My Information Reappear?
One frustrating aspect of opting out from data broker sites is that your information can reappear in the future even after successfully removing it.
This usually happens because Instant Checkmate and other data collectors continually scrape public records to find newly available data to add. They also trawl other data broker databases to add to their own.
If your personal information appears in a new public record, Instant Checkmate may re-add that data to their site, necessitating another opt out on your part. According to privacy company OneRep, removed data typically reappears on people search sites every 3-4 months.
Therefore, it’s wise to routinely search for yourself on Instant Checkmate and go through the opt out process again if you find your information has resurfaced. Setting a reminder every few months is helpful.
You may also consider using a paid service like OneRep, DeleteMe, or Kanary that will automatically monitor data brokers and handle opt out requests on your behalf. This ensures your information stays off these sites without you having to personally keep up with the removals.
Key Takeaways
- Instant Checkmate is a people search website that compiles personal information into detailed background reports.
- Having your data on Instant Checkmate can lead to privacy risks, spamming, identity theft and reputation damage.
- You can opt out of Instant Checkmate for free by submitting a data removal request through their Privacy Center.
- The quickest opt out method is using PeopleConnect’s online suppression tool. Alternatives are opting out by phone or email.
- After opting out, your information can potentially reappear in the future as Instant Checkmate re-scrapes data. Routinely check back and repeat the opt out process if needed.
- Consider using a paid removal service to automatically monitor and remove your data from Instant Checkmate and other data brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is opting out of Instant Checkmate illegal?
No, you have the legal right to opt out of Instant Checkmate and other data broker websites. They are required to provide a way for you to remove your personal information upon request.
How long does it take Instant Checkmate to remove your data?
After completing the opt out process, your information should be suppressed within 24 hours. However, sometimes it can take a few days to fully process the removal.
Does opting out remove my court records or arrest history?
No, opting out of Instant Checkmate only removes your data from their specific database. It does not delete any public records at the original source. Court records will still be publicly available through government databases and the court system. The opt out simply stops Instant Checkmate from re-sharing that information on their site.
Will opting out of Instant Checkmate remove me from other data broker sites too?
No, the Instant Checkmate opt out process only removes your data from Instant Checkmate. You will need to opt out separately from each additional data broker. Since Instant Checkmate uses PeopleConnect’s suppression tool, though, the opt out should remove you from certain other sites using the same tool. But don’t assume you’ve been fully removed without individually checking.
Why is the Instant Checkmate opt out process so complicated?
While Instant Checkmate is obligated to allow opt outs, they do not make it a very user-friendly experience. The multi-step process discourages some people from fully completing removal requests. Using a paid removal service is an easier alternative.
How can I quickly remove myself from all data broker sites?
The most efficient way to remove your information from data brokers is using a paid service such as OneRep, Kanary, or DeleteMe. For a monthly or annual subscription fee, these companies will fully remove your data from the most prominent data brokers and monitor for any re-appearances to delete again. This is easier than trying to manually opt out from each site yourself.
Sites like ThatsThem are popular data broker alternatives you’ll want to remove your information from as well.
Can I search for someone’s location by phone number?
Yes, there are several phone locator tools and reverse phone lookup services that allow you to find someone’s address with just their phone number. Many of these tools source data from public records and data brokers, which is why opting out is so important for privacy.
Conclusion
Removing your personal information from Instant Checkmate is an important step to regaining control of your privacy and online presence. By completing their opt out process, you can prevent sensitive data from being publicly accessible to anyone with an account.
Routinely monitoring and deleting your data from Instant Checkmate and other data brokers minimizes your risk of unwanted spam, identity theft, and reputational harm. Be sure to also complete data removal requests with other popular people search services like CoreLogic and AnyWho for maximum privacy protection. Stay vigilant about your online footprint and don’t hesitate to opt out from any sites sharing your information without consent.
