Personal Data Removal services?

Nathan

Nathan

SF VIP
Location
High Desert- Calif.
Anyone use a data removal service? I've been seeing a M**********s personal data removal service being advertised(Facebook), and I'm thinking this is bogus. Bogus in the sense that one's personal data can actually BE removed from the internet. The data brokers will always have a copy of your personal data, no flimsy removal service can touch their servers. The "people search" sites will re-populate your data periodically, despite your best efforts with takedown demands.
 

I used Delete Me when it first came out. It was (delete.me) It's great and does what it says. I wasn't bothered at all and no one got through. It hid everything. I was able to set it where my phone didn't even ring. That was a few years ago with android too.
 
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Once they get access to ANY of your data ALL your finances are at risk
as are everyone on your contacts list.
 

In the 1960s, they made percocet/percodan with three ingredients. Turns out I was allergic to the "enhancer" part of the mix, and a lot of others were too. The drug company dropped the "enhancer" from the drug. That was 65 years ago, after multiple times trying to get rid of my "allergy" to opioids, it still crops up. The last time was this month when Rite Aid closed, and I had to transfer my meds to CVS. The CVS pharmacist called wanting to know why I was on a med I was allergic to. Do you know how many times I've had to explain the above????? Once it's on a data base, you can't kill it. It's the closest thing man has made to immortality.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
In the 1960s, they made percocet/percodan with three ingredients. Turns out I was allergic to the "enhancer" part of the mix, and a lot of others were too. The drug company dropped the "enhancer" from the drug. That was 65 years ago, after multiple times trying to get rid of my "allergy" to opioids, it still crops up. The last time was this month when Rite Aid closed, and I had to transfer my meds to CVS. The CVS pharmacist called wanting to know why I was on a med I was allergic to. Do you know how many times I've had to explain the above????? Once it's on a data base, you can't kill it. It's the closest thing man has made to immortality.
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Wow, somehow that doesn't surprise me.
 
Right to be skeptical of such services. These services are more like playing whack-a-mole with your data. You might get it taken down from a few 'people search' sites temporarily, but it usually creeps back in thanks to data brokers constantly re-aggregating info. It’s like sweeping sand in a windstorm. If you go this route, think of it as a subscription to stay slightly less visible ... not a silver bullet. At best, you’re renting a little privacy.

Better choice might be to opt-out manually yourself. It’s tedious but free. Most major data broker and people search sites have opt-out forms. Start with sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, MyLife, etc. Use sites like privacyrights.org or optery.com’s free list for direct opt-out links and walkthroughs.

Use a DIY Opt-Out Tool (Free or Low-Cost). Optery has a free tier available. Firefox Monitor for breach alerts. Blur by Abine offers email and phone masking.

Going forward ...

Lock Down Your Info. Use burner emails and virtual phone numbers for signups (like from SimpleLogin, ProtonMail, or Google Voice). Check your Facebook privacy settings, other sites with privacy settings AND devices, phones etc privacy settings. Many data leaks start there. Avoid quizzes, giveaways, and “harmless” online forms. They’re often scraping you for info data.

Set Up Google Alerts for Your Name. This won’t prevent leaks, but at least you’ll know if something surfaces, especially helpful if you have a unique name.

Freeze Your Credit. Not exactly about removal, but it stops identity thieves cold. Do this with all 3 bureaus ... Equifax, TransUnion, Experian.

And DO NOT ... pay big money to "guaranteed removal" services. Those promises are marketing spin. Don’t assume deleting your Facebook/Twitter/etc. wipes your info. It doesn't.
 
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I often find myself wondering just how much personal information the DOGE group may have accessed and copied while probing the IRS and Social Security databases. Though it's unlikely we'll ever uncover the full extent, the notion that such sensitive data was within reach of so many individuals is deeply disquieting.
 
I pay for a yearly subscription to LifeLock so if anyone steals my identity, they have lawyers on staff to deal with it and will pay up to $1 million if I’m a victim of fraud.
 
Rich said:
I often find myself wondering just how much personal information the DOGE group may have accessed and copied while probing the IRS and Social Security databases. Though it's unlikely we'll ever uncover the full extent, the notion that such sensitive data was within reach of so many individuals is deeply disquieting.
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19 year olds have access to very sensitive data and one of them was fired from a company for releasing data to a competitor when he worked for them. Very Concerning indeed.

That’s the reason that I opened a second checking account and had my pension moved into it, and I pay all my bills now through it. The account that the government has access to for Social Security and tax refunds has no other money going into it and I keep a minimum there.
 
Naturally said:
Better choice might be to opt-out manually yourself. It’s tedious but free. Most major data broker and people search sites have opt-out forms. Start with sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, MyLife, etc. Use sites like privacyrights.org or optery.com’s free list for direct opt-out links and walkthroughs.
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Before I left employment with the state I manually checked those top people search sites and made takedown requests, when finding reference to my personal data. I also requested that the county tax assessor suppress my name associated with my home property.
 
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