Websites may have your life history

People are shocked to learn info on web


BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - You might be surprised to learn the amount of personal information posted about you online.

Most people are shocked to learn what information about them is available on the web. So-called data harvesters like Pipl , Intelius and Spokeo probably have your life story, fact or fiction, and are publishing it for everyone to see. And what they're doing is legal.

They scour public records and databases ranging from SEC filings, to marriage and divorce records, property tax records, to Facebook pages and Flickr captions. You can't stop them from doing that, but you can tell them not to show what they found about you.

Some sites, like Spokeo, make it easy. They just have a simple form to fill out online. Once you do that your listing should be deleted in one day or less. And for the most part, your info will stay off the site permanently.

The toughest ones are sites like Zabasearch and Intelius whose opt out pages look like terms and conditions for a credit card. Read through the fine print and you'll find a fax number where you are directed to fax your request and a copy of your drivers license. They don't promise results in less than four - six weeks and when new information about you becomes available, they could create another page.

The lesson here is you should also be careful about what information you put on the web that these kind of sites will harvest.


http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/W...r-life-history

Most of those sites suggest a service whereby they monitor the internet to keep your information off...for a monthly fee. Pretty good racket, post stuff you don't want known, then make you pay to get rid of it.