Get Off The List!

Over the years our identities get spread around. Pre-1980 there wasn't much worry unless you were a criminal. Today, every time you write or enter your name you risk being put on a “list.” In some cases this is good and in others it's bad.

For example, if you're a Fly Fisherman and you subscribe to “Fly Fishing Monthly” there's a chance your name will be sold along with thousands of other subscribers who will receive a specialty fly fishing catalog. In the worst case scenario your identity is stolen and when the big-ticket items show up you're in for a shock and many years of frustration.

So, if you want to get off lists here are some suggestions:

National Databases

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse presents a comprehensive directory of Data vendors that offer an opt out (list removal) policy.

The Federal Trade Commission maintains the National Do Not Call Registry and a complaint page for Spam reporting.

The major credit bureaus jointly offer an OptOutPrescreen page to get off lists used to mail credit card or insurance offers/applications via postal mail.

EPIC Online Guide to Privacy Resources

Federal Trade Commission's Sharing Your Personal Information: It's Your Choice page

The Direct Marketing Association maintains a Data Security page with many links. This is an issue of great concern when large consumer databases are hacked.

World Privacy Center's Consumer Tips: How to Opt-Out of Cookies That Track You

Yahoo Marketing Opt-Out page and Directory

ZABASEARCH Record Blocking page

Internet Telephone Directories

Dogpile Update Your Listing enables you to get out of the Internet phone book they maintain. If you are not listed fine. If you are you'll find an Update/Removal button. Click that and you have the option of doing either but you must provide a confirmation email address. What will they do with it? Your guess is as good as mine.

Google Phonebook Name Removal page

MAPQUEST'S page with links to several online directories' opt out pages.

Reverse Phone Detective Database Opt-Out page

Removing Your Contact Information From WhitePages.com

Yahoo provides a straightforward page to remove email and postal listings.

Yahoo! People Search's Remove Phone Listing page

InfoSpace has an update/remove White Pages listing page. InfoSpace is key because they provide directory services to many other web sites.

Background Information

Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy page

Federal Trade Commission's Privacy Initiatives page

FindLaw presents Can We Stop Zabasearch...?

The National Association of Realtors offers a Field Guide to Do-Not-Call, Do-Not-Fax, and Do-Not-E-Mail Laws.

Privacy Digest

PRIVACY Notes comprehensive Your Phone Number is Your Ticket to Online Privacy Invasion page

Privacy Journal's Tips for Individual and Companies

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Junk Mail: How Did They All Get My Address? page

Social Science Research Network presents a paper titled “Digital Dossiers and the Dissipation of Fourth Amendment Privacy.”

Yahoo's Privacy Center page with more than you'll ever want to know about how they track you.

By: Dvine

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