SmartBackgroundChecks is a people-search tool that holds about a billion records. It is a background check site that obtains data from publicly-available documents kept by the government.
It has advanced search algorithms and a user-friendly interface that allow you to search for anyone’s location history, contact information, and more.
However, SmartBackgroundChecks is also a data broker site, which puts it at constant risk of being exposed to cyberattacks like hacking and identity theft. It can be alarming, considering someone becomes a victim of identity theft every two seconds.
If you don’t want your personal data available to anyone online, continue reading to know how to remove yourself from SmartBackgroundCheck.
How To Remove Yourself From SmartBackgroundChecks?
79% of Americans worry about how businesses utilize their personal data. 64% of them are concerned about how the government uses their information.
Everyone has the right to be uneasy. In 2020, hackers got millions after they claimed insurance benefits and took out loans using the information they stole from data broker companies.
Removing your information from data broker sites is one way to protect your online privacy. The quickest way to empty your record is to use the SmartBackgroundChecks opt-out form.
| 💡 Did You Know? In 2021, identity fraud surged to $5.8 billion. By 2022, identity theft cost Americans $28 billion. With increasing online exposure, the risk heightens. Your online actions disclose personal details. Minimizing your online presence reduces cyberattack risks. Here’s  how to remove your web data |
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Go to https://www.smartbackgroundchecks.com/optout.
2. Enter your email address. Tick the checkbox, and click Accept Terms and Start Removal. Answer the CAPTCHA
3. Click the search features link.
4. Enter your name and location. Click Search.
5. Find your listing, and click Click for More Details.
6. Click Request My Record To Be Removed.
7. Verify the removal request via email.
Upon submitting the request, you will receive a confirmation within 48-72 hours if the opt-out process is successful.
| 👍Helpful Articles: Over 1.1 million identity theft cases in 2022. Besides opting out of SmartBackgroundChecks, see our related articles: Opt Out Of LexisNexis Opt Out Of Arrests.org |
Other Ways To Opt Out Of SmartBackgroundChecks
Aside from submitting an opt-out request using the SmartBackgroundChecks website, there are also other ways to remove your personal data from the website.
Here are other ways to remove yourself from SmartBackgroundChecks:
1. Use Incogni
Incogni is a platform that helps you remove your data on data broker sites. It is a proxy for sending removal requests to different data brokers and enables you to monitor the requests’ status.
Here’s how you can use Incogni:
| 1. Go to https://incogni.com/. Sign up and create an account. 2. Click the verification link you’ll receive via email. 3. Fill out the form with your data. 4. You will be redirected to the power of attorney document. The authorization form states that you allow Incogni to submit removal requests on your behalf. 5. Sign the document. 6. Pick a subscription plan. It costs as low as $6.49 per month. 7. Once your account is complete, Incogni will start submitting removal requests for you. Incogni will also update you regularly via email or dashboard about the progress of data removal. |
| 💡 Did You Know? Incogni uses your provided info as an ID for removal requests. Data brokers have 30-45 days to respond, though replies often come in a few days. Can it remove your data? Yes, efficiently and swiftly from internet search sites. |
2. Contact SmartBackgroundChecks Directly
If the previous methods do not work, another option is to contact SmartBackgroundChecks directly for personal data removal. Follow the steps below:
1. Go to www.smartbackgroundchecks.com.
2. Head to the bottom of the web page. Click Contact.
3. Fill in the necessary details and write your removal request.
4. Answer the CAPTCHA. Click on Submit Your Question.
If the steps above didn’t work out for you, you could also contact SmartBackgroundChecks through the following:
- Phone: (800) 571-0616
- Mail: PO Box 105603, Atlanta, GA 30348-5603
Conclusion
Hundreds of data broker sites exist, each with millions of data — usually through public records.
Removing your personal data from SmartBackgroundChecks won’t be enough to extract all your information online. However, it is still an excellent way to protect your privacy.
FAQs
Is SmartBackgroundChecks legal?
SmartBackgroundChecks and the services it offers are legal. Although what they are doing seems illegal, the activities of these data broker sites are entirely lawful since the information is available to the general public.
How do I remove my phone number from SmartBackgroundChecks?
The quickest way to remove your phone number on SmartBackgroundChecks is to use their opt-out form. You can also use personal data removal services like Incogni.
Does Google sell my data like data broker sites?
Google doesn’t sell your data, unlike data broker sites. However, Google also uses the data for its own products/services.
Sources
Timeline Of The Article
By Ritesh
With more than five years of experience in the background check industry, Ritesh Kumar founded LookupAPlate.com - a free tool to report bad drivers and look up license plates. Besides that, he has been in the SEO game for the last decade. So talk to him about Google algorithmic updates, and he can continue until the sheep come home. Here at techjury.net, he contributes mostly to the category - Background checks.