The internet has become a space where you can find information about any person in the world with a few clicks. Due to the vast amount of data embedded on the internet, you can reconnect with a long-lost friend, and a stranger can create a bond with you easily.
Unfortunately, not every netizen has honorable intentions. For example, malicious users can use your information for their evil gain. That’s why prioritizing your online security and privacy is vital at any time.
In this article, we will discuss the widely used people search platform FastPeopleSearch. You will discover what information it has about you and how you can permanently delete it.
What is FastPeopleSearch?
As the name implies, FastPeopleSearch is a people-search website that allows any internet user to obtain information about a person of interest by aggregating data from several data brokers and public sources like court records, government records, and social media profiles.
The website claims to hold 16.5 billion records and information of 800 million individuals around the globe. This shows the wealth of information available on this platform, allowing you to satisfy your curiosity or make an informed decision about a person.
Whenever you search for a person on FastPeopleSearch, it will bring out a comprehensive report containing information like:
- Full name
- Age
- Current and past home addresses
- Relatives
- Phone number
- Business record
- Email address and many more!
With this free search tool, anyone can discover details about you without you getting notified.
How to Remove Your Information from FastPeopleSearch
Removing sensitive information about you from the internet lets you enjoy more security and privacy. What’s even better is that it allows you to have control over what information people can get about you from the web. Fortunately, you won’t have to break a sweat before you can delete your information from FastPeopleSearch.
Here’s how you can do so:
1. Visit the FastPeopleSearch Site
You can access the FastPeopleSearch site by clicking here.
2. Select “Do Not Sell My Personal Information”
Scroll down until you reach the base of the homepage. Underneath the Start Free Trial tab, you will notice some write-ups in the footer. Click on Do Not Sell My Personal Information from these.
3. Fill Out the Form
You will see a page containing a form. Fill out the form and enter your email address so FastPeopleSearch can contact you when confirming your removal request. Make sure to use a temporary email for this.
Check the box beside the terms stated and confirm you are not a robot by completing the reCATPCHA. Once you complete this, click on Begin Removal Process.
4. Find Your Profile
Next, you will need to locate your profile. We recommend conducting this search with your name, city, and state, although you can still use your address or phone number. Once you fill in your information, select Free Search.
5. Click “View Free Details”
FreePeopleSearch will bring out a list of possible results. Find the one that relates to you and click View Free Details, or click on your name.
6. Select “Remove My Record”
Click on Remove My Record. You will receive a confirmation email once you do this.
7. Check for a Confirmation Email
Check your email inbox for the email from FastPeopleSearch. Click on the “Click here to remove….” button, which you will find within the email button. FastPeopleSearch will remove your listing within 72 hours once you click that link.
By following these steps above, you have successfully removed your personal information from the FastPeopleSearch website.
Other Ways to Remove Your Information from FastPeopleSearch
If you don’t like to place online requests or encounter an issue while using the removal request form, you are still in safe hands. Fortunately, there are other methods available for you to delete your data from this people search platform:
- Phone call: If you prefer speaking directly to a customer support representative, you can find the contact information here. Ensure that you explain that you want your information removed from their database and give them all the information they will need to start this process.
- Mail: You can also send mail to the physical address of the website’s team. In your letter, don’t forget to highlight all the essential information that can help them identify your data. Also, request a reply or confirmation at the end of your reply so that you will be able to tell when they start working on your request.
- Contact form: You can also fill out a contact form informing customer support to remove your data. When you click on that link, click on the dropdown menu beside Please Select A Topic. Then select How do I opt out? and Contact Support. There, you will see a form that you should fill out to file a report.
You should also note that the response time for each method varies, but you can still follow up on your request.
Why Should You Delete Your Data from FastPeopleSearch?
Leaving your information on people’s search sites makes it easy for anyone to access sensitive information about you. It is a playground for anyone who wants to doxx or stalk you. And worse, deleting your social media profile won’t stop the website from storing any information that was on the account.
While privacy is a significant reason to remove your information from FastPeopleSearch, there are more reasons why you should do so without question. These reasons include the following:
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information as their own to commit fraudulent acts. These cybercriminals can open bank accounts and take out credits using your name and details. Some may even go as far as committing crimes using your name and information as their false identity.
This identity theft may not only affect you but also those close to you. FastPeopleSearch provides additional information, such as the names of relatives and close associates. If this information is correct, they can contact your family and close friends and extort money from them or blackmail them.
Inaccurate Information
While FastPeopleSearch may seem like a perfect solution for finding information about someone, it may not be as reliable as it looks. These databases often contain incomplete or outdated information that can guide you in the wrong direction.
Sometimes, the information provided may even contain errors or be completely wrong. If someone finds such information while conducting a background search about you, it can lead to misunderstandings that can damage your reputation or affect your job prospects or credit score.
For instance, suppose a potential employee uses this sight to conduct a background check as part of their hiring process. They may come across false information that can make them assume you are dishonest about your living conditions or business records. Even though the information is untrue, they can decide not to hire you based on it.
Spam and Intrusive Marketing
The search engine readily provides the phone numbers and emails of a person of interest. While this may be perfect if you are trying to reconnect with a long-lost friend, many marketers and businesses can also get hold of your details.
These entities often scour these platforms to build a list of potential customers. Once they get your information, they can use it for various purposes you may find intrusive.
These marketers can add your email address to their mailing list and bombard you with newsletters, promotions, and advertisements for products you are not interested in. This can make it difficult for you to manage your mailbox, as it will contain many unsolicited messages. If found, they can also send junk mail like flyers, brochures, and catalogs to your home address.
Some of these marketers go as far as repeatedly calling your phone number, and offering investment opportunities, products, or services that you have no interest in. These persistent calls can be annoying and disruptive, especially if they come late at night or work all day long.
Lack of Boundary
When your information is easily accessible online, you may find it challenging to create a clear boundary between your work and personal life. For instance, a client unsatisfied with a service you offer can choose to send complaints directly to your home address instead of your office, which is an apparent invasion of your private space.
Similarly, if your phone number or personal email address is public, you may receive work-related calls or messages during your “me” time. This can lead to work burnout as the lines that differentiate your personal and work life blur. By removing such information from the web, you can regain control and choose when and how you want people to contact you.
Physical Danger
When personal details are easily accessible through public databases, it becomes easy for anyone to track down the whereabouts of someone they are interested in.
For people who have experienced harassment, stalking, or escaped from an abusive situation, the presence of their contact information and location online poses more threats to them. This can lead to a potentially more dangerous encounter, causing further trauma for the victims.
Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering is a common manipulation tactic used by cybercriminals to trick innocent users into divulging personal information about themselves. By divulging such information, these criminals can gain unauthorized access to systems like bank accounts, email, or social media profiles.
These criminals start the process by gathering as much information as possible about their target. With this information, they can craft a tailored approach that feels convincing and legitimate for you to release sensitive information to them.
TruePeopleSearch v/s FastPeopleSearch: Which is Better?
As you might know, FastPeopleSearch is not the only online people search tool. TruePeopleSearch is another popular contender. While they both serve the same purpose, they differ slightly in their features and user experience.
Let’s dive into how these two platforms compare:
1. Ease Of Use
Both platforms boast a straightforward interface that a non-tech-savvy user won’t find hard to navigate. Upon visiting each site, you will notice a search bar with a prompt showing the information you need to enter to begin your search. You don’t need to create an account or register your email before starting your ‘research.’ Plus, both sites are free to use.
However, both sites differ slightly in usability. FastPeopleSearch responds quickly to search queries. Immediately after entering the required information, you will see a page containing your search results.
On the other hand, TruePeopleSearch will ask you for an additional step – a human verification test. You must complete this test before it will lead you to your results page. You can use this platform if you don’t mind this brief verification test.
It is also important to know that both platforms are unavailable in some countries. To access them, you must connect to a U.S. server with a VPN like ExtremeVPN.
2. Database Size And Accuracy
Both websites have extensive databases that aggregate information from various public records, social media, and other sources. To verify this claim, we searched for different names on both platforms, and the results highlighted where they differ.
FastPeopleSearch consistently delivers more detailed search results than TruePeopleSearch. In several instances, FastPeopleSearch produced results when TruePeopleSearch produced none, which shows it houses a much more extensive database. For cases where they both returned results, FastPeopleSearch had a longer list of possible matches. While combing through a long list may be overwhelming, it increases the probability of finding the right match.
We went further to compare the depth of information provided by both platforms. Both sites offered similar core personal details such as name, age, addresses, and phone numbers. However, FastPeopleSearch stood out by providing additional details like the names of relatives and neighbors and more descriptive residential address information. This extra data can be helpful if you are looking for a more comprehensive report to aid your search.
However, it’s important to note that we couldn’t independently verify the accuracy of all the information provided by both sites. You should still approach the data provided cautiously and cross-reference with other sources when necessary.
3. Features
Fortunately, both platforms offer similar features that make them valuable tools for finding someone. Below is a table showing the features both platforms have or don’t have:
| Features | FastPeopleSearch | TruePeopleSearch |
|---|---|---|
| People Search | Yes | Yes |
| Address Lookup | Yes | Yes |
| Reverse Phone Lookup | Yes | Yes |
| Email Address Search | No | Yes |
| Mobile App | No | Yes |
This table shows that TruePeopleSearch offers an additional feature that allows you to search for someone based on their email address. Furthermore, TruePeopleSearch provides a mobile app for Android users, making it easier to search on the go.
TruePeopleSearch offers more versatility and convenience than FastPeopleSearch. Ultimately, the better platform depends on what you’re looking for. If you seek convenience, TruePeopleSearch is an ideal option, but if you want a quicker response and broader search results, FastPeopleSearch is the way to go.
Tips For Ensuring Your Online Privacy
Alongside removing your information from public databases, here are some other ways you can follow to safeguard your personal information when online:
- Get a VPN: A VPN is a private network that ensures no one can access your browsing activity when you connect to it. Although there are many free VPNs available today, they’re not safe to use as most of those services can also compromise your privacy. For this reason, connect to a high-quality VPN like ExtremeVPN that ensures you remain anonymous online.
- Install antivirus software: Many sites online contain malicious links that, if mistakenly clicked on, can download a virus or malware on your device. To prevent these files from causing further harm, it’s best that you download an antivirus program on your device that can protect your data from being compromised.
- Limit the personal information you share online: Platforms like FastPeopleSearch sometimes get the information stored on their database from what we share about ourselves online. Some websites request information like your address, phone number, or email to unlock discounts or gifts. You don’t have to enter this information as you can’t guarantee its privacy once entered. Also, try not to disclose sensitive info like your vacation plans and private phone numbers on your social media account as much as possible.
- Change your passwords frequently: This can help reduce the possibility of a hack on any of your online accounts. Ensure these passwords are strong by combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Use Google alerts: This is a valuable tool that can help you stay informed about certain online activities. You can create an alert that will notify you anytime your name or personal information is mentioned in a Google search.
- Enable two-factor authentication: This feature ensures that no third party can log into your online accounts without you being informed through a text message or email. Ensure you activate the 2FA feature on all your accounts, including email, shopping, banking, social media, etc.
- Shred your mail: Before you dispose of physical mail, such as bank statements, tax files, and shopping receipts, shred it to ensure no criminal can access it.
Lastly, always initiate a removal request on any people search website where you find your information.
FAQs
